Honor Toni Morrison's Legacy

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.