A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the national association for the advancement of colored people (NAACP) on its one hundredth anniversary.
Whereas, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded on February 12, 1908, in New York City; and
Whereas, the NAACP's founders consisted of a multiracial group of activists, including Ida Wells‑Barnett, W.E.B. DuBois, Henry Moscowitz, Mary White Ovington, Oswald Garrison Villiard, and William English Walling; and
Whereas, the NAACP's mission is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination; and
Whereas, according to the NAACP's constitution, some of the organization's objectives include removing all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes; seeking enactment and enforcement of federal, state, and local laws securing civil rights; and informing the public of the adverse effects of racial discrimination and how to take lawful action to help eliminate racial discrimination; and
Whereas, for 100 years, the NAACP has led public demonstrations and joined court battles to bring about awareness of racial and other injustices; and
Whereas, the NAACP will observe its 100th anniversary through activities planned throughout the year and ending with its annual convention in 2010; and
Whereas, the NAACP has more than 1,700 units nationwide, and its members actively participate in a number of programs that focus on the mission of the NAACP; and
Whereas, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II serves as President of the North Carolina NAACP and is committed to improving the civil rights of everyone in the State; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of those who founded the NAACP for their vision and the service they rendered.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly congratulates the NAACP, the oldest civil rights organization in the nation, on its 100th anniversary and expresses appreciation for its contributions to social change.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.