Senate Resolution No. 2938

BY: Senator PARKER

CELEBRATING the life and accomplishments of Toni
Morrison, notable African-American writer

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
a woman whose captivating words and spectacular achievements greatly
influenced this State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to
celebrate the life and accomplishments of Toni Morrison, notable
African-American writer; she died on Monday, August 5, 2019, in the
Bronx, at the age of 88; and

WHEREAS, Toni Morrison, born on February 18, 1931 in Lorain, Ohio,
was a spectacular and well-known African-American novelist, writer,
editor and Professor; and

WHEREAS, She was the first African-American woman senior editor at
Random House publishing company; and

WHEREAS, In 1970, Toni Morrison published her first novel, The
Bluest Eye; and she would go on to achieve additional literary success
with novels such as Sula, Song of Solomon, and Beloved; and

WHEREAS, Through her prolific writings, Toni Morrison gave credence
to the black experience in America; and

WHEREAS, Toni Morrison's work helped foster black writers and a
genre of black literature; and

WHEREAS, From 1984 to 1988, Toni Morrison was a Professor of the
Humanities at the State University of New York in Albany; and

WHEREAS, Toni Morrison was awarded the Barnard Medal of Distinction
from Barnard College; she also received the New York State Governor's
Arts Award; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Toni Morrison was the first African-American
woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, and, on May 29, 2012, she
was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom; and

WHEREAS, Toni Morrison is survived by her son, Harold Ford Morrison,
and three grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Toni Morrison leaves behind a legacy which will long endure
the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all she
served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the life and accomplishments of Toni Morrison, notable
African-American writer; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Toni Morrison.