House Concurrent Resolution 64

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE SERVICE OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY AND CONGRATULATING IT ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 2005 ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA DAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., is about to

celebrate 100 years of "service to mankind"; and

WHEREAS, in a period of 50 years, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., (AKA) 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, 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; and

WHEREAS, a public policy standing committee known as the Connection Committee was created and is composed of a chairman and a representative from each of the ten regions appointed by the international president; 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; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha members throughout the State of Mississippi will convene at the State Capitol, February 1, 2005, to advocate issues that impact the lives of people in their respective communities; and

WHEREAS, the Regional Director, Ms. Cynthia J. Finch, from Knoxville, Tennessee, leads the South Eastern Region, which includes the states of Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, emphasis for the 2005 AKA Day at the State Capitol will be a dialogue to promote "Voter Empowerment," to encourage sorority members to become more knowledgeable about public policy and the urgent need to participate in the electoral process, to create a nexus between the sorority and the community which focuses on voter registration and education; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the civic contributions, grants, scholarships and fellowships made available by respected organizations such as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, 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, February 1, 2005.

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