[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 323 Introduced in House (IH)]

103d CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. J. RES. 323

 Declaring May 19 a national holiday and day of prayer and remembrance 
             honoring Malcolm X (Al Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz).


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 10, 1994

    Mr. Rangel introduced the following joint resolution; which was 
       referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
 Declaring May 19 a national holiday and day of prayer and remembrance 
             honoring Malcolm X (Al Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz).

Whereas Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska;
Whereas his father, a Baptist Minister and adherent of the Black nationalist 
        teachings of Marcus Garvey, was persecuted by the Ku Klux Klan and, some 
        believe, murdered due to his outspokenness regarding those beliefs;
Whereas Malcolm X was a bright young student who left school after the 8th 
        grade, when his interest in eventually studying the law was ridiculed 
        and discouraged by teachers;
Whereas he spent a part of his formative years in foster homes after the illness 
        of his mother;
Whereas while in prison after falling into a life of crime, he was introduced to 
        the teachings of the Black Muslim religion and transformed his life to a 
        study of history and philosophy;
Whereas he became the organization's preeminent spokesman and organizer, and 
        went on to found Black Muslim mosques in Philadelphia, Boston, and New 
        York;
Whereas he was a spokesman for a modern-day philosophy of Black Nationalism, 
        earlier espoused by Marcus Garvey, encompassing economic and political 
        independence, self-reliance, and self-defense;
Whereas he was an eloquent speaker, recognized around the world for articulating 
        the concerns of the masses of Black America;
Whereas his growing popularity, controversial statements, and criticism of the 
        Black Muslim leadership led to his suspension, and later, resignation 
        from the organization;
Whereas he went on to found the Organization of Afro-American Unity;
Whereas the Organization of Afro-American Unity espoused a philosophy of unity 
        with Black people around the world and argued the case for exploited 
        people of all races;
Whereas following a pilgrimage to Mecca, he adopted the traditional Muslim 
        religion and modified his views to a philosophy of universal 
        brotherhood;
Whereas he came to believe that progress for Black Americans could be assisted 
        by Black and White organizations around the world, particularly the 
        United Nations;
Whereas he was a distinguished participant in the summit of African heads of 
        State, held in Cairo in November 1964;
Whereas he was inspired by the belief, as he said, that ``education is our 
        passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare 
        for it today'';
Whereas from humble beginnings his dedication to education and struggle resulted 
        in an extraordinary transformation into a figure of international 
        renown;
Whereas Malcolm X, a highly controversial figure in his lifetime, has emerged as 
        a symbol of strength, and is a hero to today's Black youth and millions 
        of people around the world;
Whereas his unrelenting stance on questions of justice, equality, and freedom 
        appeals to their longing for relief from hopelessness born of economic 
        deprivation;
Whereas he was assassinated in the Audubon Ballroom in New York City on February 
        21, 1965, at the age of 39: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That May 19 be commemorated as 
a day of prayer, remembrance, and reflection on the life of Malcolm X, 
and be designated ``Malcolm X Day'', a national holiday.

                                 <all>