November 4, 2009, Introduced by Senator CLARKE and referred to the Committee on Local, Urban and State Affairs.
A bill to designate August 7 of each year as Dr. Ralph Bunche
Day in the state of Michigan.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes the outstanding
contributions to American and world history made by Dr. Ralph
Bunche, a man who was an accomplished scholar, a distinguished
diplomat, and a supporter of civil rights for people throughout the
world. He was instrumental in the formation of the United Nations.
In 1949, as the acting chief mediator in Palestine for the United
Nations, Dr. Ralph Bunche successfully brokered a series of
armistice agreements between Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and
Syria. For his work in negotiating these armistice agreements, Dr.
Ralph Bunche was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950. He was the
first African American to receive the Nobel Prize. In 1963, Dr.
Ralph Bunche received the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian
award, from President John F. Kennedy. In recognition of this great
man, the legislature declares that August 7 of each year shall be
known as "Dr. Ralph Bunche Day".