New York State Senators Honor Adam Yauch in Advance of ‘MCA Day’

The New York State Senate passed a resolution this week to honor the work of the Beastie Boys‘ Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch, who died earlier this month from cancer of the parotid gland. Spin reports that State Senator Daniel Squadron wrote resolution J4637-2011 to remember the late rapper. The resolution was accepted by the legislative body on Tuesday, May 15,  just days before “MCA Day” takes over Union Square Park.

The resolution read in part:

“The music and message of the Beastie Boys evolved over the years, but they can’t, they don’t, they won’t stop changing the face of hip-hop, of music, and of our culture… The Beastie Boys exemplified New York through a period in which grassroots creativity and a community of iconoclastic artists helped redefine and rejuvenate a city on the ropes, with iconic imagery from Brooklyn to Ludlow Street… now, therefore, be it resolved, that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of famed rapper and activist Adam “MCA” Yauch.”

Yauch grew up in Brooklyn Heights and helped the Beasties become the first hip-hop act ever to score a No. 1 album. The resolution highlights Yauch’s fight against human rights abuses in Tibet and mentions Yauch’s wife, Dechen Wengdu, and their daughter, Losel.

The honor comes in advance of an effort to remember Yauch with MCA Day, a fan-created event in New York City’s Union Square set to take place on Saturday, May 19, at 11AM EST. Admirers of the rapper are encouraged to bring photos and share stories about his influence.

Watch the New York Senate Honor Adam Yauch