Senate Concurrent Resolution 556

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE 71ST SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAL CONFERENCE FOR ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC.

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., is about to celebrate 100 years of "service to mankind"; and

WHEREAS, in a period of 50 years, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., (AKA) founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C., in 1908, grew from one undergraduate group of nine members to a national organization with an active membership of more than 10,000; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority presently boasts a membership of more than 100,000 college-educated women and is now recognized as an international organization involved in world and community affairs; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority provides grants, scholarships and fellowships in its efforts to support students nationwide; and

WHEREAS, Linda M. White, the 26th International President, implemented her 2002-2006 program with the theme "the Spirit of Alpha Kappa Alpha" which is the acronym for sisterhood, scholarship, service, partnership, innovation, respect, involvement, technology and features a national emphasis on three traditional targets: Education, [the Ivy Reading Akademy Pilot Program - "Reading One on One"; Presidential Freedom Scholarships and the Young Authors Program]; The Black Family [the Martin L. King Day of Service "A Day On Instead of a Day Off"; the National Family Volunteer Day] and Health [the Family History Collection, SIDS Conference and the Senior Health and Safety Issues]; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha members throughout the Southeastern Region will convene at the State Capitol on March 27, 2003, to advocate issues that impact the lives of people in their respective communities, specifically, the kindergarten through third grade reading program - "No Child Left Behind"; the Head Start Program and Health Concerns - cancer, cardiovascular illness and the high cost of prescription drugs for seniors and related matters affecting seniors; and

WHEREAS, as a result, Ronnie Musgrove, Governor of the State of Mississippi, proclaimed March 7, 2001, as Alpha Kappa Alpha Day at the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the civic contributions, scholarship, and service and the partnerships forged to implement program activities:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., for the 71st Southeastern Regional Conference and congratulate this organization on the occasion of Alpha Kappa Alpha Day at the State Capitol on March 27, 2003.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to the steering committee representatives of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the members of the Capitol Press Corps.