Bill Text: MS SC541 | 2026 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Recognize notable members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and designate March 17, 2026, as "Kappa Day at the State Kapitol."
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Passed) 2026-04-06 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC541 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2026-SC541-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Simmons (12th)
Senate Concurrent Resolution 541
(As Adopted by Senate)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND SALUTING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF DELTA DELTA CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC., AND DESIGNATING MARCH 17, 2026, AS "KAPPA DAY AT THE STATE KAPITOL," HONORING THE LEGACY OF NOTABLE MEMBERS.
WHEREAS, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., was founded on January 5, 1911, on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, by 10 undergraduate college students revered as the Founders. This was the first and only fraternity to this date that was founded on that campus and the third African American college-based fraternity founded in the country; and
WHEREAS, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., has grown to include over 700 chapters and has initiated over 30,000 men and still maintains and lives by the motto from inception, "Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor." The national programs which define the fraternity to date are the Guide Right Program, commonly known as the Kappa Leadership Development League, the Sunday of Hope Project, which directly benefits St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and has raised over a million dollars, such that the fraternity will now have a wing at the hospital named in its honor, and the well-known Kappa Kamp held each year at Piney Woods Boarding School in Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., chartered its first chapter in Mississippi on February 27, 1941, with the naming of the Jackson, Mississippi, Alumni Chapter, which is celebrating its 85th Anniversary. Mississippi now has 22 chapters with 12 designated as Alumni Chapters. They are Canton-Madison, Cleveland, Columbus, Greenville, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Holly Springs, Jackson, Meridian, Natchez, Oxford and Vicksburg. The remaining 10 chapters designated as Undergraduate Chapters are located at Alcorn State University, Tougaloo College, Jackson State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Rust College, Mississippi State University, University of Southern Mississippi, University of Mississippi, Delta State University and Millsaps College; and
WHEREAS, on May 6, 1951, Delta Delta Chapter at Jackson State University was founded by Tellis B. Ellis. Delta Delta membership includes many prestigious professions in the state, including architects, attorneys, businessmen, dentists, doctors, educators, engineers and pharmacists. Noted Mississippians who are members of Delta Delta Chapter include the Honorable Carlton Reeves, U.S. Federal District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi and key legal figure in the state; Henry W. Flowers, a fifty-year member; Representative Greg Elliot; Representative Senator Derrick T. Simmons, Mississippi State Legislature, who represents District 12 and has served as the Senate Minority Leader since 2017, and was recognized as "Legislator of the Year" by the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) in 2022; Errick D. Simmons, Derrick's identical twin brother, who are both highly distinguished alumni, and who have achieved national recognition in law and public service, Mayor of Greenville, Mississippi, first elected in 2015 as the city's second African American mayor and first African American male mayor; Michael McQuerry; Christopher Darryl Neely; Warren A. Reed Sr., who was honored with the Southwestern Province Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the fraternity; Lemuel "Lem" Barney, legendary NFL Hall of Fame cornerback for the Detroit Lions, 7-time Pro Bowler, and 1967 Defensive Rookie of the Year; and
WHEREAS, notable national figures and Mississippians who are members of Kappa Alpha Psi include the Honorable Bennie G. Thompson, U.S. Congressman; former Senator, Kenneth Wayne Jones, Mississippi State Legislature; former Representative, Charles Young, Mississippi State Legislature; former Representative, Credell Calhoun, Mississippi State Legislature; Jerome Brown, Executive Vice President of The First Bank (current Southwestern Providence Polemarch and First Province Polemarch from Mississippi); and three past Presidents of the Metro Jackson Chamber of Commerce: Howard Catchings, Socrates Garrett and LeRoy G. Walker, Jr.; all of the Presidents of Piney Woods Country Life School from its Founder, Dr. Lawrence Jones, to the current President, Dr. Reginald T.W. Nichols; Dr. Charles Beady, Jr., first African American Chief Executive Officer of Mississippi Food Network; DeMarco Morgan as a notable national figure in Kappa Alpha Psi and an American broadcast journalist previously anchored at ABC News. He previously co-anchored GMA3: What You Need to Know with Eva Pilgrim; and the late Tellis B. Ellis, Jr., Head Football Coach of Jackson State University, a respected member who was instrumental in forming many of the fraternity's chapters in Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Kappa Alpha Psi announced that the 2026 "Kappa Day at the State Kapitol" will honor the legacy of Brother David "Wavee Dave" Chambers, a 1988 graduate of Delta Delta Chapter at Jackson State University who embodied Tiger Pride for over two decades as the University's celebrated mascot, whose spirited performances energized generations of fans. Mr. Chambers' creative and dynamic presence on the field helped build a culture of spirit and excellence at Jackson State University, inspiring the formation of the Baby Tigers and motivating young performers to pursue both academic success and passionate representation of Thee Tiger legacy, which is a significant contribution to the heritage and spirit of Jackson State University and the State of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we acknowledge the history of a nationally and internationally respected service organization in the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and salute the 75th Anniversary of Delta Delta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and the legislative and notable members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Further, we designate March 17, 2026, as "Kappa Day at the State Kapitol," honoring the legacy of Delta Delta Chapter and notable national members, and extending our best wishes on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Delta Delta Chapter and the other Mississippi Chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
