MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Horhn, Walls, Harden, Frazier, Dawkins, Simmons, Jordan

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE PUBLIC POLICY SERVICE OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY AND CONGRATULATING IT ON THE OCCASION OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA DAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., (AKA) was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C., in 1908. In a period of fifty years, Alpha Kappa Alpha 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. Dr. Norma Solomon White, the international president, has six target areas, to wit: Education (The Ivy Akademy and the On-Track Mentoring Program); Health (the Child Health Insurance Program, and the Buckle Up Program); The Black Family (AKA Coat Day); Economics (the Black Dollar Day Campaigns); The Arts (preserving African American Music); and Leadership Development (leadership workshops and the Leadership Fellows Program); and

WHEREAS, for many years Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., has been involved in public policy issues that impact the lives of great numbers of African Americans. Consequently, a public policy standing committee known as the Connection Committee was created; the Connection Committee, appointed by the international president, is composed of a chairman and a representative from each of the ten regions; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the Connection Committee includes (1) identifying and studying local, state and national issues which impact upon the quality of life for all mankind, and (2) designing strategies for communications with the membership regarding advocacy issues. In this regard, a major strategy developed by the Connection Committee, in addition to the annual Millennial Public Policy Conference, is holding an Alpha Kappa Alpha Day at the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha members throughout the State of Mississippi will convene at the State Capitol March 7, 2001, to advocate issues that impact the lives of people in their respective communities. Emphasis for the 2001 AKA Day at the State Capitol will be (1) a dialogue regarding reapportionment, redistricting and the probable impact on the African American community, and (2) a discussion/information period to determine the types of voting machines in our state, the problems, if any, with accuracy, the number of discarded votes and proposed reforms to improve the voting system before the next general election; 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, grants, scholarships and fellowships made available by this respected organization:

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the public policy service of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and congratulate this organization on the occasion of Alpha Kappa Alpha Day at the State Capitol, March 7, 2001.

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