HR0271 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, founded on the campus of Howard University in 1908 and incorporated in 1913, has established a mandate for carrying out the vision of a new day of excellence and performance; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha's mission of "Service to All Mankind" began at its inception; the sorority has remained at the forefront of positive change in American life, particularly in the African-American community, for 105 years; and

WHEREAS, Many prominent women have been or are members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., including the late First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, the late civil rights leaders Coretta Scott King and Rosa Parks, actress Phylicia Rashad, poet Maya Angelou, writer Toni Morrison, singer Alicia Keys, attorney Star Jones, financial expert Mellody Hobson, comedian/actress Wanda Sykes, actress Jada Pinkett-Smith, congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, former U.S. Secretary of Energy Hazel O'Leary, congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Cook County Recorder of Deeds Karen Yarbrough, and CNN reporter Suzanne Malveaux; and

WHEREAS, Many members of the General Assembly and legislative staff are members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., including Senator Mattie Hunter, Senator Toi Hutchinson, Representative Monique Davis, India Hammons, and Nia Odeoti-Hassan, who serves as the Illinois State Connection Coordinator in the Central Region under the leadership of Regional Director Dr. Gisele M. Casanova; and

WHEREAS, The 2010-2014 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., administration, under the leadership of attorney Carolyn House Stewart, continues to fulfill the service imperative of the founders with the theme, "Global Leadership Through Timeless Service", and the "Collaboration, Advocacy, Registration, Education and Stimulation (C.A.R.E.S.) Program Through Global Leadership and Timeless Service"; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.'s signature program, the Emerging Young Leaders (EYL), will impact 10,000 girls in grades 6 through 8 by providing leadership development, civic engagement, enhanced academic preparation, and character building; the program is implemented by all 90 AKA chapters of the Central Region, which consists of Illinois, Indiana, Missouri (St. Louis and Cape Girardeau), Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Kentucky; young women from the Illinois programs will be a part of the day at the Capitol on May 15, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha's storied history of proven leadership and extensive involvement in the world community through strategic partnerships evidence the sorority's potential to significantly contribute to the world community; and

WHEREAS, Leadership development is essential to the vitality of the organization, and the sorority's continuing requirements of academic excellence, shared values, and dedication to the mission of Alpha Kappa Alpha ensure a continuous wellspring of quality leaders; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate the date of May 15, 2013 as Alpha Kappa Alpha Day in the State of Illinois in honor of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and its work; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be provided to the sorority for presentation to attorney Carolyn House Stewart, International President; Dr. Gisele M. Casanova, Central Regional Director; Kiahna Davis, Central Regional Representative to the International Connection Committee; and attorney Leyser Hayes, International Chair of the Connection Committee.