Senate Resolution No. 2883

BY: Senator SANDERS

COMMEMORATING the 55th Anniversary of the death of
El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz ("Malcolm X"), a human
rights activist, dynamic orator, and one of the most
influential African American leaders in history

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend individuals and events which celebrate our nation's great
struggle to fulfill the promise of equality and opportunity for all; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to
commemorate the 55th Anniversary of the death of El-Hajj Malik
El-Shabazz ("Malcolm X"), a powerful figure in American history; and

WHEREAS, Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, on
May 19, 1925; and

WHEREAS, On January 14, 1958, Malcolm X married Betty Sanders; they
had six children, Attallah, Qubilah, Ilyasah, Gamilah, Malaak, and
Malikah; and

WHEREAS, Once a member of the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X was a
Muslim minister, public speaker, and human rights activist; he was a
courageous advocate for the rights of African Americans in the face of
institutionalized racism; and

WHEREAS, After his departure from the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X
founded Muslim Mosque Inc., and the Organization of Afro American Unity;
he then became a Sunni Muslim, and after his holy pilgrimage to Mecca he
became El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz; and

WHEREAS, Malcolm X's pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia proved life
altering and for the first time, he shared his thoughts and beliefs with
different cultures, and found the response to be overwhelmingly
positive; and

WHEREAS, When he returned to the United States, Malcolm X mentioned
that while he was abroad he had met men of all races that he could call
his brothers; he also returned to the United States with a new outlook
on the African American struggle for equality, a new message for all
mankind, and a new hope for the future; and

WHEREAS, Malcolm X said "I'm for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm
for justice, no matter who it's for or against."; and

WHEREAS, On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated while
giving a lecture in the Audubon Ballroom, in New York City, which was
subsequently designated as a landmark and currently houses the Malcolm X
and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center; and

WHEREAS, The Shabazz Center harnesses the legacies and continues the
work of Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz through the worldwide

advancement of human rights and social justice and high impact
programming in New York City; and

WHEREAS, An internationally recognized historic site, the Shabazz
Center also honors the memory and inspiration of Malcolm X and Betty
with events and programs that promote public discourse and engagement on
issues relevant to both the African Diaspora and the community as large,
as well as educational, cultural and social activities that catalyze
change through action; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body applauds Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance for
reopening the investigation into the murder of Malcolm X; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body also commends Rachel Dretzin and Phil
Bertelsen for directing the 2020 Netflix documentary miniseries "Who
Killed Malcolm X?"; and

Whereas, The documentary follows the efforts of Abdur-Rahman Muhammad,
an historian and tour guide in Washington, D.C., who, for years, has
persistently searched for the truth behind the assassination of Malcolm
X; and

WHEREAS, In 1987, in honor of the slain civil rights leader, Lenox
Avenue in Harlem, New York City was named after Malcolm X; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 55th Anniversary of the death of El-Hajj Malik
El-Shabazz ("Malcolm X"), a human rights activist, dynamic orator, and
one of the most influential African American leaders in history.