NAACP Celebrates and Honors The Life and Work of Nelson Mandela

WHEREAS, the Honorable Nelson Mandala will celebrate his 95th birthday on July 18, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Nelson Mandala's record of public service includes ANC Youth League secretary (1948); ANC Youth League President (1950); ANC Transvaal President (1952); Deputy National President {1952); and ANC President (1991); and

WHEREAS, from November 1962 until February 11, 1990, for more than 27 years, Nelson Mandala was imprisoned by the apartheid regime of South Africa as a direct result of his activities to end the racist policies of the government and because of his unwavering loyalty to abolish the badges of discrimination within labor, land distribution and ownership, and political representation; and

WHEREAS, while in prison Nelson Mandala remained committed to his political principles and organized political education classes; and

WHEREAS, in 1993, Nelson Mandela, along with F. W. DeKierk, were awarded the Nobel Peace prize for their efforts to end apartheid; and

WHEREAS, in 1993, Nelson Mandela addressed the NAACP Annual Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, saying that the NAACP had served as a model for the ANC and drew strong parallels between the mission of the NAACP to eliminate racism and racial and ethnic disparities in the U.S. and that of the ANC's mission in South Africa; and

WHEREAS, on April 24, 1994, Nelson Mandela was elected the first black president of the Republic of South Africa in the first open election in the country's history; he was inaugurated on May 10, 1994; and

WHEREAS, Nelson Mandala served as President of the Republic of South Africa until June, 1999; and

WHEREAS, in 2004, the United Nations declared July 18th Nelson Mandela International Day; the purpose of the day is to bring awareness to community service.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the NAACP calls on each and every unit to educate its members about the trials, triumphs, and indomitable spirit of Nelson Mandala and his legacy; and

THEREFORE BE FINALLY IT RESOLVED that the NAACP calls on all units to encourage their members to participate in 67 minutes of service on Mandala Day, which represents Mr. Mandala's 67 years of service.