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