DELAWARE STATE SENATE

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 106

RECOGNIZING MARCH 5, 2024, AS "ALPHA PHI ALPHA LEGISLATIVE DAY AT THE CAPITOL" IN DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men, was founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York;

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity recognizes the following seven men, “The Seven Jewels,” as its founders: Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle, and Vertner Woodson;

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity develops leaders and promotes brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities;

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity prepares its members for the greatest usefulness in the causes of humanity, freedom, and dignity for all people;

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s aims include manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind;

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity encourages the highest and most noble form of manhood and aids downtrodden humanity in its efforts to achieve higher social, economic, and intellectual status;

WHEREAS, the State of Delaware has two undergraduate and two alumni chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, including the Gamma Theta Lambda Chapter established in 1945, the Zeta Rho Lambda Chapter established in 1956, the Xi Omicron Chapter established in 1980, and the Gamma Sigma Chapter established in 1948;

WHEREAS, the achievements of all four chapters include social, civic, and humanitarian contributions that have made a significant impact on the quality of life for Delaware residents;

WHEREAS, each chapter invests time and resources into the development of youth in the State of Delaware through mentoring programs, community projects, fundraisers, and scholarships;

WHEREAS, the chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in Delaware are especially concerned with gun violence and mental health issues as they relate to the Black male population in the state;

WHEREAS, the chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in Delaware are dedicated to addressing matters of racial disparities in educational outcomes and health care in the state as they relate to Black males.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 152nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that that this resolution may be cited on March 5, 2024, in recognition of the “2024 Alpha Phi Alpha Legislative Day”.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State of Delaware recognizes and honors the contributions of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated to the sustained progress of Delaware residents, and designates March 5, 2024, as “Alpha Phi Alpha Legislative Day” in the State of Delaware.

SYNOPSIS

This Concurrent Resolution recognizes March 5, 2024, as Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated or “Alpha Phi Alpha Day at the Capitol” in Delaware. It honors Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated as an organization that has provided a voice and a strong vision to the struggle of African Americans and people of color in the State of Delaware and around the world.

Author: Senator Brown