J 962: Commemorating the 100th Birthday of Malcolm X, an advocate for human rights, and one of the most influential African American leaders in history

 Senate Resolution No. 962 BY: Senator CLEARE COMMEMORATING the 100th Birthday of Malcolm X, an advocate for human rights, and one of the most influential African-American leaders in history WHEREAS, It is the sense 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, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 100th Birthday of Malcolm X, an advocate for human rights, and one of the most influential African-American leaders in history; and WHEREAS, Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska on May 19, 1925, as the fourth of Earl and Louise Little's seven children; Earl, a Baptist minister, was a follower of Marcus Garvey's black nationalism and served as Omaha chapter president of Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association; and WHEREAS, Malcolm X was soon appointed as a minister and national spokesperson for the Nation of Islam in the 1950s and 1960s; in March 1964, Malcolm X left The Black Muslims and formed two new organizations: Muslim Mosque, Inc. and the Organization of Afro-American Unity; and WHEREAS, After spending some time abroad, Malcolm X returned to America with a new outlook regarding race; from then on, he stated that his organizations were willing to work beyond African-American-centric groups and instead, welcome all races; and WHEREAS, On January 14, 1958, Malcolm X married Betty Sanders; they had six children, Attallah, Qubilah, Iiyasah, 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; to his admirers, 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, 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, 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 100th Birthday of Malcolm X, an advocate for human rights, and one of the most influential African-American leaders in history.