R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Members of the Dallas-based Alpha Xi Omega chapter 1-2 of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., will honor the rich history of 1-3 their sorority and rekindle their spirit of purpose with a 1-4 Founder's Day luncheon on February 20, 1999, at the Adam's Mark 1-5 Hotel Dallas; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Founded in 1908 on the Howard University campus in 1-7 Washington, D.C., Alpha Kappa Alpha is the oldest Greek letter 1-8 organization established by and for African American college women; 1-9 the 16 original founders, purposeful and spirited Black women 1-10 determined to reap the benefits of education and empowerment, are 1-11 now revered as "The Splendid Sixteen" and recognized as examples of 1-12 strength and potential; and 1-13 WHEREAS, The group incorporated in 1913 and now serves more 1-14 than 200,000 college women and graduates through 882 chapters in 1-15 all 50 states, West Africa, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, 1-16 Germany, Korea, the Caribbean, and Great Britain; and 1-17 WHEREAS, The Founder's Day luncheon provides current members 1-18 with a chance to reflect on the tremendous advances and great 1-19 accomplishments brought about by earlier members; that reflection 1-20 in turn gives members today renewed vision and purpose, the 1-21 strengths so necessary to continue in their work; and 1-22 WHEREAS, The women of Alpha Xi Omega, as members of Alpha 1-23 Kappa Alpha, are part of an international effort entitled "Blazing 1-24 New Trails," which targets five areas for outreach and development 2-1 worldwide as the millennium approaches: education, health, the 2-2 Black family, economics, and the arts; and 2-3 WHEREAS, In remembering and continuing the many works of "The 2-4 Splendid Sixteen," today's members are part of a powerful and 2-5 dynamic force, and in the words of the sorority's beloved 2-6 historian, Dr. Marjorie Parker, "We recount and we honor what they 2-7 did, so those who shall come after can remember . . ."; now, 2-8 therefore, be it 2-9 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-10 Legislature hereby honor the work and spirit of the Alpha Xi Omega 2-11 chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., as they host their 2-12 Founder's Day luncheon; and, be it further 2-13 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-14 prepared for the Alpha Xi Omega chapter as an expression of high 2-15 regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Giddings _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 123 was adopted by the House on February 3, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House