Bill Text: MS HC101 | 2012 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; commend and recognize community service of and 11th year anniversary of AKA Day at the Capitol.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-1)
Status: (Passed) 2012-04-27 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HC101 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2012-HC101-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Buck (72nd), Clarke, Cockerham, Coleman (65th), Thomas, Williams-Barnes
House Concurrent Resolution 101
(As Adopted by House and Senate)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE MISSISSIPPI CHAPTERS OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED, FOR THEIR SERVICE TO THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, AND COMMEMORATING THE ELEVENTH YEAR OF "ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA DAY AT THE CAPITOL."
WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, was founded more than a century ago in 1908 in Washington, D.C., by sixteen members, with Ethel Hedgeman Lyle as the visionary at Howard University; and
WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha is the first Greek-letter African-American Sorority, having grown from one undergraduate chapter to an international organization with more than 260,000 members in over 960 chapters throughout the United States and six other countries; and
WHEREAS, the 28th International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Carolyn House Stewart, implements the legacy of service through her program, "Global Leadership Through Timeless Service," an organization that emphasizes several program initiatives, including: The signature program Emerging Young Leaders; Health-related initiatives such as Asthma Prevention and Management; Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability; Global Poverty; Economic Security; Social Justice and Human Rights; and Internal Leadership Training for External Service; and
WHEREAS, the Southeastern Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha consists of 106 chapters, 32 of those chapters being located in Mississippi, and these chapters work independently and collectively to embrace and implement the 2010-2014 program initiatives, setting record numbers in service hours, accounting for 185,106 volunteer hours and impacting more than 856,323 lives, more than any other of the ten regions in Alpha Kappa Alpha; and
WHEREAS, each chapter member's efforts in supporting the service programs contribute to the storied history and success of Alpha Kappa Alpha, as service is the hallmark and signature of Alpha Kappa Alpha; and
WHEREAS, at the 2011 Public Policy Conference held in Washington, D.C., from September 19 through 21, 2011, International President Stewart and the International Connection Committee launched the Alpha Kappa Alpha C.A.R.E.S. about voting initiative and asked each chapter throughout the country to implement and develop this initiative; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of "Alpha Kappa Alpha Day at the Capitol" is to promote the public policy agenda for the current administration of Alpha Kappa Alpha, and this day has been consistently observed by chapters throughout this great state, and this year will be the 11th anniversary commemorating this wonderful day; and
WHEREAS, this year's adopted agenda entails a comprehensive list that includes items of importance, such as: addressing redistricting issues; ensuring that legislation promotes fair election bills; addressing legislation regarding restoration of voting rights; and addressing legislation which would have the effect of restraining the rights of citizens to vote and to register others to vote; and
WHEREAS, there are seven women of Alpha Kappa Alpha who serve as members of the Mississippi Legislature: Representative Sonya Williams-Barnes and Representative Kimberly Campbell Buck, both of whom serve as the legislative liaisons for "Alpha Kappa Alpha Day at the Capitol"; Representative Alyce G. Clarke; Representative Angela Cockerham; Representative Mary H. Coleman; Representative Sara Richardson Thomas; and Senator Alice Varnado Harden, who brief members of the sorority on the status of legislation relating to the public policy agenda and the program initiatives for Alpha Kappa Alpha; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to acknowledge the social and civic contributions of such elite organizations as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for its activism in advancing the agenda for a better and equal quality of life for all individuals, especially the individuals of the Southeastern Region:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the members of the Mississippi Chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, led by Southeastern Regional Director Adrienne P.K. Washington, for their outstanding service to the communities under the program initiative, "Global Leadership Through Timeless Service," and commemorate the 11th year observance of "Alpha Kappa Alpha Day at the Capitol."
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Regional Director Adrienne P.K. Washington, International President Carolyn House Stewart, the presidents of the 32 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Mississippi chapters and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
