Senate Concurrent Resolution 526

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND SALUTING THE LEGISLATIVE MEMBERS OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC., AND DESIGNATING FEBRUARY 11, 2025, AS "KAPPA DAY AT THE STATE KAPITOL" HONORING THE LEGACY OF BROTHER HENRY WALTER FLOWERS.

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 Rodney Hall, 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; former Representative Credell Calhoun, Mississippi State Legislature; C. Jerome Brown, Executive Vice President, The First Bank (current Southwestern Providence Polemarch); 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 that the 2025 "Kappa Day at the State Kapitol" will honor the legacy of Brother Henry Walter Flowers. This significant honor recognizes Brother Flowers' unwavering dedication, leadership and commitment to advocacy and community engagement:

· Early Life. Born during World War II in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Henry Walter Flowers was raised in a close-knit community that encouraged him to dream and aspire to great heights. His parents, William and Ruth Flowers, along with the community, shaped his formative years and prepared him for his diverse roles in life as an academic, administrator, civic leader, religious leader and family man;

· Education. After graduating from Rosa Temple High School, Flowers pursued higher education at Jackson State College (now Jackson State University) in Jackson, Mississippi. Majoring in Biology, he was an active participant in the Science Club and supported student activism. During his time there, he was initiated into the Delta Delta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., on May 8, 1965, marking the beginning of his lifelong commitment to the fraternity. Flowers earned his Bachelor of Arts from Jackson State University and later a Master of Arts from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville;

· Fraternal Leadership. Henry Flowers held various significant positions within Kappa Alpha Psi, including:

▶ UG Polemarch at the Delta Delta Chapter at Jackson State University;

▶ Jackson (MS) Alumni Polemarch;

▶ The 16th Southwestern Province Polemarch (1973–1976), where he emphasized chapter expansion during integration and the promotion of financial management and brotherhood;

▶ Chartering 16 new chapters across multiple states, enhancing the presence of the fraternity at both historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and predominantly White institutions;

▶ Organizing public service projects, undergraduate forums, and academic support programs, leaving a lasting impact on fraternity members and the community; and

▶ Serving on the Grand Board of Directors (1976–1985), Flowers worked to promote organizational effectiveness, voter registration, health care, youth services and economic development, alongside national organizations like the NAACP and the Urban League;

· Community Impact. Beyond his fraternity contributions, Flowers is recognized as a mentor, family man and friend. His leadership extended to civic and religious initiatives, including statewide celebrations and unity-building efforts among Greek organizations in Mississippi;

· Legacy. With a career marked by excellence, accountability and service, Henry Walter Flowers remains an exemplar of leadership and dedication. His numerous awards, honors, and contributions have solidified his legacy as a distinguished leader within Kappa Alpha Psi and the wider community; 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 February 11, 2025, as "Kappa Day at the State Kapitol" honoring the legacy of Brother Henry Walter Flowers, 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, Brother Henry Walter Flowers, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.