By Lewis of Tarrant H.R. No. 101 75R4981 JHS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, For more than 90 years, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, 1-2 Inc., has provided African-American men with the opportunity to 1-3 gather together to promote their common ideas and goals; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Founded in 1906 at Cornell University, Alpha Phi 1-5 Alpha was the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity 1-6 established for black college students; since its inception, more 1-7 than 125,000 men have been initiated into this venerable 1-8 organization, and its influence has spread to more than 350 1-9 colleges and universities worldwide; and 1-10 WHEREAS, The fraternity's seven founders based membership on 1-11 character, scholarship, fellowship, and humanitarianism, and these 1-12 principles remain the guiding tenets of Alpha Phi Alpha and its 1-13 alumni; members receive valuable training in leadership and 1-14 community service, and they use these skills to encourage pride and 1-15 cooperation among African-American citizens; and 1-16 WHEREAS, The Texas Council of Alpha Chapters was founded in 1-17 1964 at Bishop College in Dallas as a means of advancing the 1-18 influence of chapters in our state; by forming alliances with other 1-19 chapters, the council's elected officers have gained greater access 1-20 to the regional offices and can more directly affect the 1-21 decision-making processes that govern Texas chapters; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Members of the Texas Council of Alpha Chapters will 1-23 gather in Fort Worth on February 21-23, 1997, to participate in 1-24 Alpha Phi Alpha's 33rd annual state convention; this year's 2-1 function will be hosted by Fort Worth's Beta Tau Lambda chapter and 2-2 will feature representatives of more than 25 alumni chapters and 30 2-3 undergraduate chapters; and 2-4 WHEREAS, In addition to creating an exciting and entertaining 2-5 atmosphere for the participants, this event will offer a great 2-6 opportunity for the brothers of this historic organization to 2-7 celebrate and promote the dynamic ideals on which their fraternity 2-8 is based, and the members of this chamber are pleased to 2-9 commemorate this worthwhile event; now, therefore, be it 2-10 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-11 Legislature hereby commend Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., on the 2-12 occasion of its 33rd annual state convention and extend to its 2-13 members sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness in 2-14 the years to come; and, be it further 2-15 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-16 prepared for the members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., as an 2-17 expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.