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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity is celebrating its |
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107th anniversary at the organization's 92nd general convention, to |
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be held in Austin from June 26 to June 30, 2013; and |
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WHEREAS, Established at Cornell University in 1906, the |
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fraternity was the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity |
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established for African Americans; founded by a group of seven men, |
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known as the "Jewels" of the fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha initially |
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served as a study and support group for minority students who faced |
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racial prejudice; these early leaders laid the foundation for the |
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fraternity's principles of scholarship, fellowship, character, and |
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the uplifting of humanity; and |
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WHEREAS, Soon after its creation, Alpha Phi Alpha chapters |
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formed at other colleges across the nation; while the fraternity |
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focused on the academic excellence of its members, it also expanded |
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its outreach and focus to include righting the educational, |
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economic, political, and social injustices faced by African |
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Americans; former Alpha Phi Alpha leaders at the forefront of the |
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fight for civil rights include W. E. B. Du Bois, Martin Luther King, |
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Jr., Thurgood Marshall, and Andrew Young; and |
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WHEREAS, The fraternity has been interracial since 1945, and |
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at the organization's annual convention in 2013, members from |
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nearly 700 chapters from across the world will attend workshops, |
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seminars, and training sessions to strengthen the mission of |
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developing leaders, providing service and advocacy, and promoting |
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fellowship and academic excellence; and |
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WHEREAS, Throughout its history, Alpha Phi Alpha has |
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demonstrated a commitment to fostering a brotherhood of concerned |
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citizens who work in behalf of the greater good, and its members may |
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indeed reflect with pride on their organization's noteworthy |
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tradition of civic involvement and achievement; now, therefore, be |
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it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity on the |
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occasion of its 107th anniversary and 92nd general convention and |
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extend to all those associated with the organization sincere best |
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wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Alpha Phi Alpha as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |