IA

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
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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, selfreliance, 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;
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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

1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 That May 19 be commemorated as a day of prayer, re4 membrance, and reflection on the life of Malcolm X, and

5 be designated ‘‘Malcolm X Day’’, a national holiday.

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