SLS 19RS-1322 ORIGINAL
2019 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 109
BY SENATOR BISHOP
SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH. Commends Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated
upon the celebration of its 112
th
anniversary as and organization an recognizes May 8, 2019,
as Alpha Phi Alpha Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To commend Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated upon the celebration of its one
3 hundred twelfth anniversary as an organization and recognize Wednesday, May 8,
4 2019, as Alpha Phi Alpha Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.
5 WHEREAS, in 2018, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., celebrated the 112th
6 anniversary of its founding as the first intercollegiate Greek letter fraternity established for
7 African-American men; and
8 WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha was founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell
9 University in Ithaca, New York, by seven college men known as the "jewels" of the
10 fraternity, who recognized the need for a strong bond of brotherhood among African
11 descendants; and
12 WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha chapters were soon established at other colleges and
13 universities, many of them historically black institutions; and
14 WHEREAS, the mission of Alpha Phi Alpha is to develop leaders and promote
15 brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service to and advocacy for their
16 surrounding communities; and
17 WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha initially served as a study and support group for
18 minority students who faced racial prejudice at Cornell University and, throughout its
Page 1 of 3 SR NO. 109
SLS 19RS-1322 ORIGINAL
1 history, members of the fraternity have recognized the need to help correct the educational,
2 economic, political, and social injustices faced by African Americans; and
3 WHEREAS, members of Alpha Phi Alpha have stood at the forefront of the Civil
4 Rights movement and have supplied voice and vision to the struggle of African Americans
5 and people of color around the world; and
6 WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha has accepted men of all races since 1945 and the
7 fraternity's motto is: "First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All"; and
8 WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha programs and charitable activities include the
9 "Go-to-High-School, Go-to-College" campaign, "A Voteless People is a Hopeless People"
10 voter registration campaign, Project Alpha, and the Martin Luther King Jr. National
11 Memorial project; and
12 WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha has numerous chapters in the state of Louisiana, and
13 its hundreds of chapters worldwide continue the legacy of their predecessors by helping their
14 fellow man, serving their communities, acting as mentors to youth, and carrying on the
15 tradition of one of their members, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., by actively discussing civil
16 rights; and
17 WHEREAS, other notable members of Alpha Phi Alpha include W. E. B. Dubois,
18 Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Edward Brooke, Thurgood Marshall, Paul Robeson,
19 William Gray, and Andrew Young; and
20 WHEREAS, this year, Alpha Phi Alpha members from across the state of Louisiana
21 will assemble in Baton Rouge in order to celebrate the contributions and sacrifices in the
22 legislature of eighteen past Alpha brothers and those currently serving:
23 Senator Wesley T. Bishop and Representatives Ken Brass, Patrick O. Jefferson, and Vincent
24 J. Pierre; and
25 WHEREAS, it is appropriate to set aside a special day to commend Alpha Phi Alpha
26 Fraternity, Incorporated for its programs and activities that exemplify the importance of
27 service to all mankind and to recognize the positive impact the fraternity continues to have
28 on the state of Louisiana.
29 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
30 does hereby commend Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., on celebrating 112 years of
Page 2 of 3 SR NO. 109
SLS 19RS-1322 ORIGINAL
1 scholarship, fellowship, good character, and the uplifting of humanity, and does hereby
2 recognize Wednesday, May 8, 2019, as Alpha Phi Alpha Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.
3 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
4 Louisiana District Director, Southwestern Regional Vice President, Executive Director, and
5 General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., as an expression of the Senate of the
6 Legislature of Louisiana's admiration for the fraternity's proud history of service and manly
7 deeds.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
SR 109 Original 2019 Regular Session Bishop
Commends Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., on celebrating 112 years of scholarship,
fellowship, good character, and the uplifting of humanity; and does hereby recognize
Wednesday, May 8, 2019, as Alpha Phi Alpha Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.
Page 3 of 3