House Concurrent Resolution 82

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC., FOR THE 71st SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAL CONFERENCE AND FOR THEIR MANY YEARS OF "SERVICE TO MANKIND."

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

WHEREAS, within a period of 50 years, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA), which was 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 of Alpha Kappa Alpha, 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 and 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"; and "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 issues such as the kindergarten through third grade reading program - "No Child Left Behind"; the Headstart Program; health concerns such as cancer, and cardiovascular illness, the high cost of prescription drugs for seniors; and other related matters affecting seniors; and

WHEREAS, as a result of Alpha Kappa Alpha's efforts toward community service, Governor Ronnie Musgrove proclaimed March 7, 2001, as Alpha Kappa Alpha Day at the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend an organization such as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., for its civic contributions, scholarship, service and the partnerships forged to implement program activities:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we commend the members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., for the 71st Southeastern Regional Conference and for their many years of "service to mankind" and congratulate this organization on the occasion of Alpha Kappa Alpha Day, to be held 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 to the Capitol Press Corps.