DMX’s “Homegoing Celebration” funeral service on Sunday (April 25) started off with a major announcement.
Erica Ford, the co-founder of Life Camp, an organization established to prevent gun violence and Priscilla Echi, a Westchester community activist disclosed that the New York State Senate has officially declared December 18th — DMX’s birthday — Earl “DMX” Simmons Day.
Senate Resolution 631 — Mourning the untimely death of DMX legendary New York rap icon and talented actor — was introduced on the NYS Senate floor on Tuesday, April 20 by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and sponsored by Senator Jamaal T. Bailey.
“Our New York State Senate has called December 18 Earl “DMX” Simmons Day,” Echi announced. “His lyrics were rapped on the Senate floor by Senator Jamal Bailey who introduced a resolution in his honor. He also has proclamations from Mayor Spano and Mayor Shawyn Patterson Howard.”
“There are so many coming in,” she added. “Well deserved honors.”
Ford also delivered several other proclamations from government officials to the Simmons’ family. “From the governors office, we have the flag that was flying the day that he died to be presented to his family,” she said. “We have a citation from the governor’s office for his oldest son and one for his father.”
Earlier in her speech, she proclaimed, “DMX represented the streets.” “He represented the people and that brought him what we have here today and that’s recognition from those who are ‘in charge,’” she said. “I’ve been working with DMX since the nineties and he is a true representation of the people.”
Last week, Senator Bailey delivered his own eulogy for the late rapper on the day he co-sponsored the resolution. “In New York we have our own hip hop royalty,” Bailey said. “He’s the Earl of Westchester County. He is DMX, he is one of the greatest hip hop artists that we will ever know. Phenomenal actor, phenomenal for the culture. Someone who gave us so much in the hip hop generation. As a kid whose been raised by hip hop, I am grateful not just for the accomplishments that DMX has given, but I’m more happy about the impact that Earl Simmons left on the world. May he rest in peace and may his memory be a blessing.”