Senate Resolution No. 861
BY: Senator STEWART-COUSINS
MOURNING the death of Harry Belafonte,
Jamaican-American singer, songwriter, actor, and
humanitarian
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
just tribute to those musical geniuses whose commitment and creative
talents contributed to the entertainment and cultural enrichment of
their community and the entire State of New York; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework served to enhance the
quality of life in their communities and the great State of New York;
and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to mourn the death of Harry
Belafonte, who died on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at the age of 96; and
WHEREAS, Born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. in Harlem, New York, on
March 1, 1927, Harry spent much of his childhood traveling back and
forth between New York City and his mother, Melvine's homeland of
Jamaica; and
WHEREAS, Harry Belafonte proudly served his country as a member of
the United States Navy for a short time before he began his long and
distinguished career as a musician, first as a jazz and pop singer in
the New York City club scene; and
WHEREAS, In 1945, Harry Belafonte worked as a janitor's assistant at
Harlem's American Negro Threatre where he saw his first show, Home isthe Hunter, written by Samuel M. Kootz, and would eventually be given
his first performing role in On Striver's Row in 1946; his legacy in
Harlem will forever be cemented with the naming of the Harry Belafonte
115th Street Library in his honor; and
WHEREAS, In 1949, Harry Belafonte received his first recording
contract, and by 1950, he started performing folk music, and was well on
his way to stardom; and
WHEREAS, After the release of his first album in 1954, Harry
Belafonte expanded his talents to the silver screen, breaking racial
barriers in critically acclaimed hits like "Carmen Jones", which
co-starred Dorothy Dandridge; and on the Great White Way where he won a
Tony Award for his performance in the Broadway musical Almanac; and
WHEREAS, Two years later, Harry Belafonte invoked his many childhood
memories of his mother's native Jamaica into Calypso, which topped the
Billboard charts and sold more than one million copies, earning him the
nickname "King of Calypso"; and
WHEREAS, The album contained timeless hits such as "Day-O (Banana
Boat Song)," a traditional Jamaican folk song that would go on to become
Harry Belafonte's signature track; in 2009, his version of this
well-known song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Harry Belafonte won an Emmy in 1960 for outstanding
performance in a variety or musical program for "The Revlon Revue:
Tonight With Belafonte", making him the first Black person to win an
Emmy; and
WHEREAS, Harry Belafonte was also the recipient of a Kennedy Center
Honor in 1989, the National Medal of Arts in 1994, and a Grammy Lifetime
Achievement Award in 2000; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his role as a much-loved entertainer, Harry
Belafonte was a staunch and stalwart supporter of civil rights issues,
and other causes, such as the Anti-Apartheid Movement where he
befriended Nelson Mandela; he also organized support for the fight
against HIV/AIDS and became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, Harry Belafonte came up with the idea for
recording the 1985 hit song, "We Are the World," which assembled a group
of pop and rock stars to raise money for famine relief in Africa; and
WHEREAS, In 1968, Harry Belafonte once again broke barriers by
becoming the first Black person to host a late-night TV show when he
assumed hosting duties on "The Tonight Show" amid national civil rights
protests, welcoming guests like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bobby
Kennedy; and
WHEREAS, Harry Belafonte is survived by his wife, Pamela; three
daughters, Adrienne Belafonte Biesemeyer, Shari Belafonte, and Gina
Belafonte; one son, David Belafonte; two stepdaughters, Sarah Frank and
Lindsey Frank; eight grandchildren, Rachel Blue, Brian, Maria, Sarafina,
Amadeus, Mateo, Olive, and Zoe; as well as numerous friends, colleagues
and fans who will long cherish the many gifts he has given to the world;
and
WHEREAS, Harry Belafonte was a man of many causes and interests and
truly captivated his fans with his multi-dimensional talent; his music
helped break Caribbean music through to a global audience, and his
tireless efforts to make the world a better place to live, work and play
will never be forgotten; and
WHEREAS, Through his genius and passion, Harry Belafonte touched the
hearts of people across the globe through his warm smile, immeasurable
talent, and for his unremitting commitment to those who were less
fortunate; and
WHEREAS, As the news of his death reaches the masses, many of us
will be singing the lyrics and dancing in our chairs to the smooth
Calypso beat of his most memorable songs; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to remember the
life and accomplishments of legendary musician, Harry Belafonte, whose
illustrious career will forever live in the hearts of many and continue
to inspire generations to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Harry Belafonte, and to express its deepest
condolences to his family; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Harry Belafonte.
