AL SJR6

Honors President Barack Hussein Obama as he leaves office and recognizes the historic significance of his role as the first African-American President of the United States.

Acknowledges Obama's background including his birth in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 4, 1961, graduation from Columbia University and Harvard Law School, work as a community organizer and civil rights attorney in Chicago, and service in the Illinois State Senate beginning in 1996.

Recognizes Obama's election to the U.S. Senate in 2004 and subsequent presidential election in 2008, noting his legislative work on alternative energy, ethics reform, veterans' benefits, and weapons destruction.

Credits Obama with accomplishing major policy initiatives including leading the country through an economic crisis, ending the War in Iraq, and enacting health care reform.

Notes that prior to 1965, only 100 African-Americans held elective office nationwide, and 52 years later there are thousands, including the President, demonstrating significant progress in African-American representation.