Bill Text: NJ AJR209 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates January 5 of each year as "Kappa Alpha Psi Day" in New Jersey.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-02-22 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee [AJR209 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-AJR209-Introduced.html
No. 209
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 22, 2021
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Designates January 5 of each year as "Kappa Alpha Psi Day" in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating January 5 of each year as "Kappa Alpha Psi Day" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Since its founding on January 5, 1911, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. has consistently supplied voice and vision to the struggle of African Americans and people of color around the world; and
Whereas, Kappa Alpha Psi, the 2nd oldest existing collegiate historically Black Greek-letter fraternity, was founded on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana by ten Black college men who recognized the need for a strong bond of brotherhood among Black students in an environment saturated in racism; and
Whereas, Kappa Alpha Psi initially sought to raise the sight of Black men and encourage them to accomplish more than what might otherwise be realized or even imagined at Indiana University; and
Whereas, The visionary founders were Elder Waston Diggs, Byron K. Armstrong, John M. Lee, Henry T. Asher, Marcus P. Blakemore, Guy L. Grant, Paul W. Caine, George W. Edmonds, Ezra D. Alexander, and Edward G. Irvin; and
Whereas, These men of vision decided the fraternity's foundation would be based on the reliance of high Christian ideals and the purpose of achievement; and
Whereas, Kappa Alpha Psi has over 125,000 members with 700 undergraduate and alumni chapters in nearly every state of the United States, and international chapters in Nigeria, South Africa, West Indies, United Kingdom, Germany, Korea, and Japan; and
Whereas, Kappa Alpha Psi's presence in New Jersey began with the Newark Alumni Chapter in 1947, and further expanded with the first undergraduate chapter in New Jersey, the Eta Delta Chapter at Trenton State College in 1974; and
Whereas, Kappa Alpha Psi encourages achievement among its members and community through the bond of fraternity, inspires public service, and supports academic and educational institutions; and
Whereas, While advocating their national service program, the Guide Right Program, Kappa Alpha Psi focuses on the development of young men through educational and occupational guidance; and
Whereas, Kappa Alpha Psi's programs and charitable activities include a "College Signing Day," the opportunity to publicly reveal and celebrate post-secondary education plans, college fairs and financial aid workshops, promoting stop the violence, and serving at "Feed the Hungry" campaigns; and
Whereas,
Kappa Alpha Psi has 110 years of achievement in every field of human endeavor,
and includes among its members, Ralph Abernathy, Wilt Chamberlin, Ben Jealous,
Oscar Robertson, Arthur Ashe, Johnnie Cochran, and Colin Kaepernick; and
Whereas, Kappa Alpha Psi continues to serve as a fraternity model of operational excellence, and its social and political action programming continues to change lives and transform communities; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper to designate a special day to commend Kappa Alpha Psi 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 throughout the world, including in the State of New Jersey; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. January 5 of each year is designated "Kappa Alpha Psi Day" in the State of New Jersey to commemorate the founding of the 2nd oldest existing collegiate historically Black Greek-letter fraternity, and to recognize the contributions and achievements of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and its members.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to issue an annual proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe "Kappa Alpha Psi Day" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates January 5 of each year as Kappa Alpha Psi Day to commemorate the founding of the 2nd oldest existing collegiate historically Black Greek-letter fraternity and to recognize the contributions and achievements of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and its members.
Founded on January 5, 1911, Kappa Alpha Psi's foundation is based on the reliance of high Christian ideals and the purpose of achievement. They encourage achievement among its members and community through the bond of fraternity, inspire public service, and support of academic and educational institutions. The fraternity has over 125,000 members with 700 undergraduate and alumni chapters in nearly every state of the United States, and international chapters in Nigeria, South Africa, West Indies, United Kingdom, Germany, Korea, and Japan.
Today, the fraternity continues to enrich the lives of its members who in turn become pillars in their community, in New Jersey and across the world. Given the extent to which Kappa Alpha Psi has become a model of excellence, it is fitting and proper to designate a day in its honor.
