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 per-
secuted by the Ku Klux Klan and, some believe, mur-
dered 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 teach-
ers;
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 reli-
gion 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-Amer-
ican 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 tra-
ditional Muslim religion and modified his views to a phi-
losophy of universal brotherhood;
•HJ 323 IH
Whereas he came to believe that progress for Black Ameri-
cans 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 ‘‘edu-
cation 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 life-
time, 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, equal-
ity, 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, re-
membrance, and reflection on the life of Malcolm X, and
be designated ‘‘Malcolm X Day’’, a national holiday.
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