Honor Malcolm X's Birthday

Senate Resolution No. 3905 BY: Senator HAMILTON COMMEMORATING the 93rd 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 93rd 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; 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 93rd Birthday of Malcolm X, an advocate for human rights, and one of the most influential African-American leaders in history.