Bill Text: MS HC77 | 2010 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; commend and congratulate on hosting 79th anniversary of the Southern Region Convention in Jackson, MS.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2010-03-09 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HC77 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2010-HC77-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Perkins, Myers, Holloway
House Concurrent Resolution 77
(As Adopted by House and Senate)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC., AND SALUTING ITS LEGACY ON THE OCCASION OF HOSTING THE 79TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOUTHERN REGION CONVENTION IN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, ON MARCH 4-7, 2010.
WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first and oldest intercollegiate Greek-letter foundation established for African Americans, which was founded on December 4, 1906, and celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2006, will host the 79th anniversary of the Southern Region Convention in Jackson, Mississippi, on March 4-7, 2010, at the Marriott; and
WHEREAS, founded at Cornell University by seven visionary college men known as the "Jewels" of the Fraternity, who recognized the need for a strong bond of brotherhood among African-American descendants in this country, including Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle and Vertner Woodson Tandy; and
WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., initially served as a study and support group for minority students who faced racial prejudice, both educationally and socially, that originally met at 421 North Albany Street, Ithaca, New York, and was incorporated January 29, 1908; and
WHEREAS, after developing chapters at other colleges and universities, many being historically black institutions, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., continues to proliferate, spanning the globe with some 686 active chapters, more than 175,000 members worldwide located throughout the United States, the Caribbean Islands, Africa, the West Indies, Europe and Asia; and
WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., prides itself in stressing academic excellence among its members and recognizes the educational, economic and social challenges faced by African Americans, both nationally and internationally; and
WHEREAS, the legacy of Alpha Phi Alpha includes: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., W.E.B. DuBois, Fredrick Douglass, Paul Robeson, Dick Gregory, John Hope Franklin, Thurgood Marshall, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., United States Vice President Hubert Humphrey, Edward William Brooke, Duke Ellington, Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson, Maynard Jackson, Charles B. Rangel, Emanuel Cleaver, Harold Ford, Sr., Ralph Metcalfe, Donny Hathaway, Lionel Richie, John H. Johnson, Cornel West, Lenny Wilkens and scores more; and
WHEREAS, since its founding, Alpha Phi Alpha has supplied the voice and vision to the struggle of African Americans and people of color around the world; and
WHEREAS, known today as "Alpha South," the Southern Region is home to seven states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, and comprised of more than 225 chapters, hosted its first national convention in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1929, which proved to be historic in nature due to the presentation of Charles H. Wesley's "The History of ALPHA PHI ALPHA a Development in Negro College Life," and the approval was the organization's membership into the newly formed National Pan-Hellenic Council; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the works, efforts and contributions of such an historical organization as Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and its Southern Region, which strives through the fulfillment of its mission's statement "to advance the legacy of Alpha South through a renewed commitment to brotherhood, leadership development, scholarly achievement, and public activism while preserving the traditions which define the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.":
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., salute its legacy on the occasion of hosting the 79th anniversary of the Southern Region Convention in Jackson, Mississippi, on March 4-7, 2010, and express heartiest wishes for continued growth, prosperity and success in all of its future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Mississippi district office, the Southern Region office, the National Headquarters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
