Senate Concurrent Resolution 639

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED, ON THE OCCASION OF ITS POLICY IMPACT "2015 AKA DAY AT THE MISSISSIPPI STATE CAPITOL" TO PROMOTE ADVOCACY AND TAKE ACTION FOR CIVIL RIGHTS, SOCIAL JUSTICE AND FAMILY STRENGTHENING INITIATIVES.

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, was founded on the Campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. more than 107 years ago by nine visionary women under the leadership of Ethel Hedgeman Lyle; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first Greek-letter Sorority for college-educated African-American women, has grown from nine women in one undergraduate chapter in 1908 to an international organization of more than 280,000 members in over 980 chapters throughout the United States and seven other countries, with more than 30 chapters active within the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, is a distinguished and dynamic nonprofit, nonpartisan organization designated as a Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) by the United Nations in recognition of its commitment in providing public service and support to a world that transcends cultures and diplomatic borders; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, is an indomitable force for good in their communities, state, nation, and the world, dedicated to transforming lives and positively impacting communities through established international programs that are innovative, socially relevant, and measurable; and

WHEREAS, the 29th International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson, implements the legacy of service through her 2014-2018 program, "Launching New Dimensions of Service," with five program targets, six community impact days, and one signature program, ASCEND, including: Target I-Educational Enrichment; Target II-Health Promotion; Target III-Family Strengthening; Target IV-Environmental Ownership; and Target V-The United Nations' Global Classrooms Project and Africare; and

WHEREAS, the South Eastern Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha consists of almost 6,000 members in 101 chapters, 30 of those chapters being located in Mississippi, and these chapters work independently and collectively to embrace and implement the International program initiatives, setting record numbers in service hours, devoting more than 1.5 million hours of community service collectively on an annual basis to improve the lives of individuals and positively impact this great state, this nation and the world; and

WHEREAS, each chapter member's efforts in supporting the service programs contribute to the proud history and success of Alpha Kappa Alpha, as service is the hallmark and signature of Alpha Kappa Alpha; and

WHEREAS, there are seven Alpha Kappa Alpha women who serve as members of the Mississippi Legislature: Representatives Sonya Williams-Barnes, Kimberly L. Campbell, Alyce G. Clarke, Angela Cockerham, Mary H. Coleman, Sara Richardson Thomas and LaTaisha Jackson, who, along with other members of the Legislature, brief those attending the event on the status of legislation relating to the public policy agenda and the program initiatives of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; and

WHEREAS, as evidence of this dedication, civic pride and to demonstrate their commitment to statewide civic engagement, on March 26, 2015, more than 100 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, have answered the call to convene in Jackson, Mississippi, to attend the "2015 Alpha Kappa Alpha AKA Day at the Mississippi State Capitol" to receive a legislative update, promote advocacy and take action as part of their commitment to civil rights, social justice, political awareness and family strengthening; and

WHEREAS, "AKA Day at the Capitol" is a national political awareness initiative for the sorority to promote the public policy agenda for the current administration of Alpha Kappa Alpha, and this day has been consistently observed by chapters through local initiatives, and thousands of members of this extraordinary sorority travel to visit with state lawmakers around the country; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we acknowledge the social and civic contributions of such elite organizations as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for its activism in advancing initiatives for a better and equal quality of life for all individuals, especially the individuals of the South Eastern Region and the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and recognize Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, led by South Eastern Regional Director Mary B. Conner, for their outstanding service to the communities under the program initiative, "Launching New Dimensions of Service," and commemorate the observance of the "2015 Alpha Kappa Alpha Day at the Capitol."

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to South Eastern Regional Director Mary B. Conner, International President Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson, the Presidents of the 31 active Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Mississippi chapters, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.