Senate Concurrent Resolution 533

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND SALUTING THE LEGISLATIVE MEMBERS OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC., AND DESIGNATING MARCH 12, 2024, AS "KAPPA DAY AT THE STATE KAPITOL" AND CONGRATULATING FORMER SENATOR KENNY WAYNE JONES AS THE POLITICAL ACTION CHAIRMAN OF THE MIGHTY SOUTHWESTERN PROVINCE.

WHEREAS, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., was founded on January 5, 1911, on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, by 10 undergraduate college students revered as the Founders. This was the first and only fraternity to this date that was founded on that campus and the third African-American college-based fraternity founded in the country; and

WHEREAS, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., has grown to include over 700 chapters and has initiated over 30,000 men and still maintains and lives by the motto from inception, "Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor." The national programs which define the fraternity to date are the Guide Right Program, commonly known as the Kappa Leadership Development League, the Sunday of Hope Project, which directly benefits St. Jude Children's Hospital and has raised over a million dollars, such that the fraternity will now have a wing at the hospital named in its honor, and the well-known Kappa Kamp held each year at Piney Woods Boarding School in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., chartered its first chapter in Mississippi on February 27, 1941, with the naming of the Jackson (MS) Alumni Chapter, which is celebrating its 83rd Anniversary. Mississippi now has 22 chapters with 12 designated as Alumni Chapters. They are Canton-Madison, Cleveland, Columbus, Greenville, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Holly Springs, Jackson, Meridian, Natchez, Oxford and Vicksburg. The remaining 10 chapters designated as Undergraduate Chapters are located at Alcorn State University, Tougaloo College, Jackson State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Rust College, Mississippi State University, University of Southern Mississippi, University of Mississippi, Delta State University and Millsaps College; and

WHEREAS, state membership includes many prestigious professions such as architects, attorneys, businessmen, dentists, doctors, educators, engineers and pharmacists. Noted Mississippians who are members of the fraternity are the Honorable Bennie G. Thompson, U.S. Congressman; the Honorable Carlton Reeves, U.S. Federal District Judge; Representative Credell Calhoun, Mississippi State Legislature; Senator Derrick T. Simmons, Mississippi State Legislature; former Senator Kenneth Wayne Jones, Mississippi State Legislature; former Representative Charles Young, Mississippi State Legislature; and three past Presidents of the Metro Jackson Chamber of Commerce: Howard Catchings, Socrates Garrett and LeRoy G. Walker, Jr.; all of the Presidents of Piney Woods Country Life School from its Founder Dr. Lawrence Jones, to the current President Dr. Reginald T.W. Nichols; Dr. Charles Beady, Jr., first African-American Chief Executive Officer of Mississippi Food Network; Mayor Errick D. Simmons, first African-American male Mayor of Greenville; and the late Tellis B. Ellis, Jr., Head Football Coach of Jackson State University, a respected member who was instrumental in forming many of the fraternity's chapters in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Kappa Alpha Psi announced in 2024 that Brother and former Senator Kenny Wayne Jones has been appointed as the Political Action Chairman of the Mighty Southwestern Province. This significant appointment recognizes Brother Jones' unwavering dedication, leadership and commitment to advocacy and community engagement. Kenneth Wayne Jones was elected as an Alderman in the City of Canton where he served for 12 years; he was also elected as a Mississippi State Senator and served for eight years. As a Senator, he was elected twice by his peers to serve as the Chairman of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus. Kenny Wayne was featured in Ebony magazine as a "Leader of the Future," and he has received the "Governor's Award" for Community Service. He joined the United States Army Reserves as a Medical Specialist and retired as a Sergeant First Class after 24 years of service to his country. As a soldier, he received numerous meritorious awards. Kenny Wayne also received a certification in the prestigious Business Advantage Program from Millsaps College's Else School of Management. He is a lifetime resident of Canton, Mississippi, and is a member of Greater St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church, where he serves as a Deacon. Kenny Wayne is married to the former Bobby Jenkins, and they have two children, Kennedy and William; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we acknowledge the history of a nationally and internationally respected service organization in the State of Mississippi:

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 salute the legislative members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and designate March 12, 2024, as "Kappa Day at the State Kapitol" and congratulate former Senator Kenny Wayne Jones as the Political Action Chairman of the Mighty Southwestern Province, and extend our best wishes on this auspicious occasion.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Mississippi Chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi, former Senator Kenny Wayne Jones, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.