Honor NAACP’s 109th Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 3571 BY: Senator COMRIE COMMENDING the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People upon the occasion of celebrating its 109th Anniversary WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor those enduring organizations which devote their purposeful energies to improving the quality and dignity of life of those they serve, to preserving their heritage, and to fostering cultural pride; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People upon the occasion of celebrating its 109th Anniversary; and WHEREAS, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the largest and oldest civil rights organization in the Nation; for over a century, this vital organization has strived to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination; and WHEREAS, After the Race Riot of 1908 in Springfield, Illinois, Henry Moskowitz, Mary White Ovington, and William English Walling gathered in New York City to discuss the urgent need for an effective civil rights organization in the United States; and WHEREAS, These three visionaries joined with a larger group including W.E.B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Archibald Grimke, Mary Church Terrell, Florence Kelley, Oswald Garrison Villard, and Charles Edward Russell to form the NAACP on February 12, 1909; and WHEREAS, The NAACP's history is one of relentless advocacy for safeguarding the rights of African-Americans and other minority groups; from championing voter registration and economic empowerment to demanding equity in education, the NAACP has waged a tireless fight to ensure the civil rights of all Americans; and WHEREAS, Today, more than 500,000 people are members and supporters of the NAACP throughout the United States and the world, serving as strong advocates for civil rights in their communities, campaigning for equal opportunity and conducting voter mobilization; and WHEREAS, The success of the NAACP is in direct correlation to the efforts of its members, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be recognized and applauded by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People upon the occasion of celebrating its 109th Anniversary; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.