WHEREAS, Nelson Mandela, who led South Africa's transition from a racist system of apartheid to a multiracial democracy, died on Dec. 5, 2013, at the age of 95; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Mandela during his lifetime inspired people around the world to work for justice, freedom and racial equality; and

WHEREAS, the United Federation of Teachers in its support of the struggle against apartheid urged the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) to divest of their holdings in American companies doing business in South Africa; and

WHEREAS, the TRS did a study about how to divest in a sound fiduciary manner, which allowed the TRS trustees to divest of holdings in the late 1980’s; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Mandela's commitment to building a society in which people of all races and backgrounds have equal rights and opportunities is mirrored in the work that UFT members do every day serving diverse and vulnerable populations in our public schools, hospitals, and other settings; and

WHEREAS, the arc of Mr. Mandela's life and career - from growing up in a royal family of the Xhosa people to becoming a freedom fighter against apartheid, a prisoner for 27 years, the chief black negotiator to end white rule and then the first black president of the new South Africa - is an inspiring example of a person able to stand firm on principle while dealing with the changing reality around him; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Mandela's remarkable ability to forego hate and bitterness against the South African whites who imprisoned him and brutally enforced the apartheid system allowed him to lead the nation through a transition that avoided violent civil war in favor of a process of peaceful reconciliation; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the UFT grieves the passing of Nelson Mandela and honors his legacy through the union's unwavering commitment to achieving justice and equal opportunity for people of all races, nationalities and economic backgrounds.