Senate Concurrent Resolution 633

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND RECOGNIZING ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC., FOR HOSTING ITS 78TH SOUTH EASTERN REGIONAL CONFERENCE.

WHEREAS, the South Eastern Region of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated consists of more than 11% of the total membership of the Sorority which includes the States of Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee and maintains an active membership of approximately 27,000; and

WHEREAS, the South Eastern Regional Conference convenes in Jackson, Mississippi, March 11-14, 2010, with the kick-off event for the Advocacy and Community Service Day, March 11, 2010, being the Legislative Prayer Breakfast promoting the theme Embracing, Securing and Protecting Our Children's Health and Community; thereafter, in partnership with the National Institutes of Health a Health Fair will be held at the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation; and

WHEREAS, the South Eastern Region is led by the Regional Director, Dr. Juanita Sims Doty, a resident of Jackson who has served the Region with distinction for the past four years; under her administration the South Eastern Region has contributed more than $400,000 to Historical Black Colleges and Universities; participated in building a Habitat for Humanity for the Willis Family, the family adopted by the South Eastern Region during Katrina, and members in this Region have mentored children and assisted parents with career opportunities; and

WHEREAS, the 2010 Regional Conference is the final year of the Regional Director's administration she convenes this conference in record numbers in her home state to celebrate the rich legacy and heritage of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, members of the South Eastern Region will conduct business sessions and attend workshops to further the mission of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., that of "Service to All Mankind"; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C., in 1908 by 16 members, with Ethel Hedgeman Lyle as the visionary; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., grew from one undergraduate group of 16 members to a national organization with more than 250,000 members in over 950 chapters throughout the United States and six countries; and

WHEREAS, the International President, Dr. Barbara A. McKinzie implements the legacy of service through her platform, Economics Service and Partnerships (ESP), which places emphasis on the non-traditional woman entrepreneur; encourages partnerships to educate local communities about the economic keys to success; recognizes and utilizes strategies for assisting young African-American males to overcome the formidable challenges to their educational development and well-being through activities that enable support and provide access for the economic growth of the black family and features the undergraduate signature program: Economic Education Advancement through Technology and Health Resource Management and economics to address the many health issues and crises that face the black community in the United States and globally; and

WHEREAS, the 2,300 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. expected in Jackson will continue to advocate state legislators for progressive policies that will have an impact on the quality of life for our citizens of the state such as the preservation of the Historical Black Colleges and Universities, promotion and participation of the Census 2010 and the very presence of these distinguished women will bring pride to our Capital City:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and commend the Regional Director, Dr. Juanita Sims Doty and members of the South Eastern Region on the execution and implementation of the 78th South Eastern Regional Conference of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Regional Director, Dr. Juanita Sims Doty; to the International President, Dr. Barbara A. McKenzie; to the following Chapters: Beta Delta Omega, Jackson, Mississippi; Eta Theta Omega, Greenville, Mississippi; Kappa Alpha Omega, Itta Bena, Mississippi; Mu Xi Omega, Vicksburg, Mississippi; Phi Mu Omega, McComb, Mississippi; Rho Lambda Omega, Jackson, Mississippi; Upsilon Upsilon Omega, Canton, Mississippi; Zeta Delta Omega, Natchez, Mississippi; Gamma Omicron, Tougaloo College; Gammy Rho, Jackson State University; Gamma Phi, Alcorn State University; Lambda Iota, Millsaps College; Mu Gamma, Delta State University; and be made available to members of the Capitol Press Corps.