Bill Text: NY J02729 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulating the Juneteenth Committee at Masjid Malcolm Shabazz upon the occasion of hosting their 29th Annual Juneteenth Parade

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 43-20)

Status: (Passed) 2022-05-24 - ADOPTED [J02729 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J02729-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2729

BY: Senator CLEARE

        CONGRATULATING  the Juneteenth Committee at Masjid
        Malcolm Shabazz upon the occasion of  hosting  their
        29th Annual Juneteenth Parade

  WHEREAS,  It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize the
profound impact of those exemplary organizations within the great  State
of  New  York  which  proactively  work  for the empowerment of minority
communities, and the importance of such work which benefits all citizens
of this State, and  indeed,  all  citizens  of  the  Nation,  should  be
rightfully commended; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
congratulate the Juneteenth Committee at Masjid Malcolm Shabazz upon the
occasion of hosting their 29th Annual Juneteenth Parade; and

  WHEREAS,  Juneteenth  is  a  federal  holiday  in  the United States
commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans; it is also
often observed for celebrating African American culture; and

  WHEREAS, The 29th Annual Juneteenth Parade and Celebration sponsored
by Masjid Malcolm Shabazz Juneteenth Committee is the oldest  Juneteenth
Committee  in  the  State  of New York; it first started in 1993, at the
suggestion of Imam W. D. Mohammed,  the  son  of  The  Honorable  Elijah
Mohammed,  who  wanted his community to be a part of the broader African
American Community in ensuring that African  American  people  in  North
America  become  more  knowledgeable  about  their  history  and culture
through the celebration of Juneteenth; and

  WHEREAS, The theme for the 2022 Parade is "Ethnic Excellence  Within
The African American Family" with the vision to inspire their community,
where  African  Americans will reclaim their dignity, honor, and respect
in America and throughout the world in the areas of education, business,
health, culture and government; and

  WHEREAS, The Juneteenth Committee  has  the  mission  to  celebrate,
educate  and  commemorate  the  African  American  struggle for Freedom,
Justice, and Equality in America; and

  WHEREAS, The earlier Grand Marshals for the  Juneteenth  Celebration
were pioneers and senior members in the Masjid Malcolm Shabazz community
who  had  labored  hard  throughout  the  years in service to the Harlem
community; in more recent years, Grand Marshals were selected  from  the
community  and  were  role models and volunteers serving their community
without formal recognition; and

  WHEREAS, The Parade has historically marched from 116th up to  125th
Street, then to Fifth Avenue and ending at Marcus Garvey Park, where the
celebration  continues  at  the  Amphitheatre  with vendors, musical and
cultural entertainment, guest speakers, recognition awards for the Grand
Marshals, as well  as  political  and  special  supporters  and  guests;
furthermore, the Ruff Ryders Entertainment Group has participated in the
Parade since its inception; and


  WHEREAS, In 2009, The Juneteenth Committee of Masjid Malcolm Shabazz
met  the  Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) New York Support Group who held a
small KingFest celebration to promote programs and activities  to  honor
Dr.  King's legacy on the same day of the Juneteenth celebration; and

  WHEREAS,  Furthermore,  that  same  year, Imam Pasha invited the MLK
group  to  116th  Street,  the  location  of  the   then-called   Annual
Juneteenth/KingFest   Celebration;   the   MLK   group   took  over  the
responsibility of managing the educational and entertainment portion  of
the program at the Main Tent of the combined celebration; and

  WHEREAS,  During this 29th year of consistently managing the growing
support for the Juneteenth Celebration of Masjid Malcolm  Shabazz,  they
are  expected to have a parade and festival that will be the largest one
to date; and

  WHEREAS, There will be three different  stages  to  host  music  and
speeches,  activities  such  as bounce houses, face painting, reading of
African American historical stories to children,  giveaways  of  African
American  authored  books,  a  Double  Dutch  tournament,  a  basketball
tournament, musician, Love (P Diddy) and other  bands,  presentation  of
awards,  guest  speakers and political guests, and keynote speeches from
Imam Izak-El Pasha, resident Imam of Masjid Malcolm Shabazz; and

  WHEREAS, The Grand  Marshals  include  Dabney  Montgomery  (Tuskegee
Airman),  Michael  Gardner  (MTA),  Hank Carter (President, Carter Rehab
Center), Dr. John Palmer - (President,  Harlem  Hospital),  Judge  Tanya
Kennedy, Dr. George Shelby White, DDS, Charles Rangel, The Honorable New
York  State  Senator Cordell Clear, Jerome Hunter (La Rock Bey school of
Drum and Dance); and

  WHEREAS, Our society is greatly benefited by the purposeful  efforts
of  individuals who unite for the cause of improving the quality of life
for others, and who proactively work toward the goal of dignity for all;
now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
congratulate the Juneteenth Committee at Masjid Malcolm Shabazz upon the
occasion  of  hosting  their  29th  Annual  Juneteenth Parade; and be it
further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to the Juneteenth Committee at Masjid Malcolm Shabazz.