On Saturday, August 29, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz joined Brooklyn's favorite son, Spike Lee, and legions of fans for a posthumous birthday celebration at Prospect Park's Nethermead in honor of Michael Jackson.
BP Markowitz presented a proclamation (full text below), declaring August 29 "Michael 'King of Pop' Jackson Memorial Day in Brooklyn, USA."
Whereas, Brooklyn has long been renowned for the richness of its cultural and artistic communities, it is therefore most fitting that we recognize those distinguished individuals and organizations that support and promote artistic expression in Brooklyn, throughout New York and the world; and
Whereas, in every generation stars are born and legends are made, yet there are those times when that rare individual graces the world with their presence, standing above all who have come before and after them, elevating and revolutionizing their art form, expanding minds, opening hearts and building bridges of understanding, leaping beyond the confine of star or legend to a place undefined by mere words, and that is the undisputable King of Pop Michael Jackson; and
Whereas, on behalf of all Brooklynites, I salute Michael Jackson--of blessed memory--on the occasion of his 51st birthday--superstar, music icon, innovator, humanitarian, father, brother, son, and idol to millions of fans around the world, whose unparalleled career began in the 1960s as a member and lead singer of The Jackson 5, and who moved onto a solo career that has been unmatched by anyone before him or since, producing mega albums such as "Off The Wall," "Dangerous," "Bad," and of course the legendary "Thriller," which forever changed the music and video industry with more than 50 million copies sold worldwide, an unprecedented achievement on a album that produced the unforgettable "Billie Jean" and "Beat It," I commend him for not only bringing us his musical genius but for his humanitarianism, donating millions to charities around the world to alleviate hunger, homelessness and disease that effect children, as well as his enormous contributions to the arts, which certainly helped to shape and change lives, and who according to the Guinness Book of World Records in the 2000 Millennium Edition, Michael Jackson is listed as supporting the most charities by a pop star, I congratulate him on the numerous awards of recognition he has received throughout his career from Grammys for his music to special commendations from around the globe, and I join with family, friends and supporters worldwide who mourn his untimely loss, but celebrate with them as we recognize his genius and all that he brought to the world through his music, and I pay tribute to him for the extraordinary humanitarian that he was, I acknowledge Brooklyn's own hometown hero Spike Lee, along with 40 Acres and a Mule, for hosting this phenomenal "block party" tribute to a phenomenal entertainer, with true Brooklyn swagger and style, and I sincerely thank Michael Jackson for gracing the world with his music, his humanity, his sense of duty, and his unstoppable spirit that will live on long after the last note is played;
Now, therefore, I, Marty Markowitz, President of the Borough of Brooklyn, do hereby proclaim Saturday, August 29, 2009, Michael "King of Pop" Jackson Memorial Day
in Brooklyn, USA
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Borough of Brooklyn to be affixed this 29th day of August, 2009.