SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 279
WHEREAS, Proud members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
are gathering at the State Capitol on February 27, 2017, and this
is a fitting opportunity to celebrate the fraternity's exceptional
legacy of civic engagement; and
WHEREAS, Established at Cornell University on December 4,
1906, Alpha Phi Alpha was the first intercollegiate Greek-letter
fraternity established by African Americans; founded by seven
men who came to be known as the "Jewels" of the organization,
Alpha Phi Alpha initially served as a study and support group for
minority students who were struggling against racial prejudice;
these early leaders laid the foundation for the fraternity's
principles of scholarship, fellowship, character, and the uplifting
of humanity; and
WHEREAS, In the years that followed, Alpha Phi Alpha
chapters were formed at other colleges across the nation; while
the fraternity placed a strong emphasis on the academic
excellence of its members, it also expanded its focus to address
the educational, economic, political, and social injustices
faced by African Americans and people of color around the world;
over the decades, many former Alpha Phi Alpha members have stood
at the forefront of the fight for civil rights, including W. E. B.
Du Bois, Paul Robeson, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood
Marshall, Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Edward Brooke, Andrew Young,
and William Gray; and
WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity has been an
interracial group since 1945 and now has chapters in five
regions in the United States; the fraternity has an especially rich
history in the Lone Star State, which has been home to three of
the organization's general presidents; in addition, a number of
prominent Texas leaders are Alpha Phi Alpha alumni, including
several members of the Texas Legislature; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its history, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
has sought to foster a brotherhood of concerned citizens who
devote themselves to working for the greater good, and its
members may indeed reflect with pride on their organization's
noteworthy tradition of activism and achievement; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby recognize February 27, 2017, as Alpha Phi
Alpha Fraternity Day at the State Capitol and extend to the
visiting members sincere best wishes for continued success; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the
fraternity as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
Miles
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 27, 2017.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate