House Resolution 113

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE MU XI CHAPTER OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC., ON THE OCCASION OF THE 45TH ANNIVERSARY OF RECEIVING ITS CHARTER.

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha (ΑΦΑ) is the first intercollegiate fraternity established by African-American men and was founded on December 4, 1906, on the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and since 1945, it has been open to men of all races and initiated over 175,000 men into its organization; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha evolved into primarily a service organization and has provided leadership and service during the Great Depression, both World Wars and the Civil Rights Movement, and the fraternity addresses social issues such as apartheid, AIDS, urban housing, and other economic, cultural and political

issues affecting people of color; and

WHEREAS, in 1975, Alpha Phi Alpha along with brothers Mance

Langham and Charles Johnson chartered the Mu Gamma Lambda Alumni Chapter in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Mance Langham and Charles

Johnson along with brothers Alphonso Clark and Howard Jones decided the brothers of Mu Gamma Lambda Alumni Chapter would apply for a metropolitan chapter slated for Hattiesburg; and

WHEREAS, 45 years ago, in 1976, an organization named the 7 Jewels Study Club was established on the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) campus, and it was a group of African-American students whose purpose was to promote scholarship and the spirit of Alpha Phi Alpha; and

WHEREAS, that same year, the National Office granted Mu Xi a

metropolitan chapter, encompassing students from USM, William Carey College and surrounding junior colleges, who were at least sophomores and had a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average, and on November 6, 1976, the Mu Xi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity initiated 16 charter members; and

WHEREAS, all 16 members were known as "The Untouchable 16" and consisted of the following undergraduate students at the University of Southern Mississippi: Brian Acker of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, Jerrle Barksdale of Biloxi, Jimmy R. Bridges of Silver Creek, Larry D. Carey of Jackson, Lavern Dillion of Hattiesburg, Reverend Kenneth Fairley of Hattiesburg, Michael Gilner of Gulfport (deceased), Charles Goldsmith of Moss Point, Wille B. Hinton of Carson, Robert L. Jackson of Marks, Reverend Robert K. Minor of Hattiesburg, Willie Neely of Ellisville, Daniel Simmons of Picayune (deceased), David Simmons of Picayune, Norman Smith of Bay St. Louis and Charles R. Thompkins of Hattiesburg; and

WHEREAS, since their Mu Xi Charter in 1976, there have been over 325 men initiated into Mu Xi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, and through their careers, each man has made numerous contributions to the world in very diverse and impactful ways, including as Ph.D.s, NFL players, judges, mayors, Fortune 500 executives, entrepreneurs, theologians, teachers, school superintendents, IT professionals, coaches, healthcare professionals, politicians, safety professionals and engineers; and

WHEREAS, each brother, past and present, of the Mu Xi Chapter has truly embodied the Alpha Phi Alpha motto, "First of All, Servants of All, We shall Transcend All"; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the works, efforts and contributions of such an historical organization as the Mu Xi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Mu Xi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of receiving its charter 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 Mu Xi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.