House Resolution 26

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC., UPON THE CELEBRATION OF ITS 72ND ANNIVERSARY SOUTHERN REGION CONVENTION.

WHEREAS, the Southern Region of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., representing over 8,000 members will convene for its 72nd Annual Southern Region Convention on March 6-9, 2003, in Jackson, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., is the first intercollegiate Greek letter fraternal organization established for African Americans and has a rich history of commitment to the community through its national programs and special projects outreach activities; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., has several national programs including the "Go to High School, Go to College" program which concentrates on the importance of completing secondary and collegiate education as a road to advancement; the "Project Alpha" program which is a collaborative effort between the March of Dimes Foundation and the fraternity that was developed to increase the knowledge of African American males about the consequences of teenage pregnancy from the male perspective; and "A Voteless People is a Hopeless People" program which has recently focused on political awareness and empowerment; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., has several special projects such as participation in Alpha Head Start, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Boy Scouts of America and Leadership Training Institute; and

WHEREAS, since its founding on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., has more than 100,000 members that have been initiated into the fraternity; and

WHEREAS, the objectives of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., are to stimulate the ambition of its members to prepare them for the greatest usefulness in the cause of humanity, freedom and dignity of the individual; to encourage the highest and noblest form of manhood; and to aid downtrodden humanity in its efforts to achieve higher social, economic and intellectual status; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., is international in its scope and location, with local chapters in more than 700 colleges and communities throughout the world including the United States, District of Columbia, Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Africa; and

WHEREAS, on December 4, 2000, a host of politicians, media representatives and Alpha men joined in the dedication ceremony of the site for the Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., has long had a strong and influential presence in the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi to recognize and commend excellence especially when evidenced by an organization such as Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., which has made endless contributions to many community service programs and projects:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., for its 72nd Annual Southern Region Convention on March 6-9, 2003, in Jackson, Mississippi.