RECOGNIZING MAY 5, 2026, AS "ALPHA PHI ALPHA LEGISLATIVE DAY AT THE CAPITOL" IN DELAWARE.

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Brown & Rep. Harris

Sens. Buckson, Hoffner, Huxtable, Pettyjohn, Sokola, Wilson; Reps. Berry, Bolden, Cooke, K. Johnson, Ross Levin, Kamela Smith

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 178

RECOGNIZING MAY 5, 2026, AS "ALPHA PHI ALPHA LEGISLATIVE DAY AT THE CAPITOL" IN DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men, was founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity recognizes the following seven men, “The Seven Jewels,” as its founders: Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle, and Vertner Woodson; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity develops leaders and promotes brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity prepares its members for the greatest usefulness in the causes of humanity, freedom, and dignity for all people; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s aims include manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity encourages the highest and most noble form of manhood and aids downtrodden humanity in its efforts to achieve higher social, economic, and intellectual status; and

WHEREAS, the State of Delaware has two undergraduate and two alumni chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, including the Gamma Theta Lambda Chapter established in 1945, the Zeta Rho Lambda Chapter established in 1956, the Xi Omicron Chapter established in 1980, and the Gamma Sigma Chapter established in 1948; and

WHEREAS, the achievements of all four chapters include social, civic, and humanitarian contributions that have made a significant impact on the quality of life for Delaware residents; and

WHEREAS, each chapter invests time and resources into the development of youth in the State of Delaware through mentoring programs, community projects, fundraisers, and scholarships; and

WHEREAS, the chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in Delaware are especially concerned with gun violence and mental health issues as they relate to the Black male population in the state; and

WHEREAS, the chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in Delaware are dedicated to addressing matters of racial disparities in educational outcomes and health care in the state as they relate to Black males.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that that this resolution may be cited on May 5, 2026, in recognition of the “Alpha Phi Alpha Legislative Day at the Capitol”.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State of Delaware recognizes and honors the contributions of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated to the sustained progress of Delaware residents, and designates May 5, 2026, as “Alpha Phi Alpha Legislative Day at the Capitol” in the State of Delaware

SYNOPSIS

This Concurrent Resolution recognizes May 5, 2026, as “Alpha Phi Alpha Legislative Day at the Capitol” in Delaware. It honors Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated as an organization that has provided a voice and a strong vision to the struggle of African Americans and people of color in the State of Delaware and around the world.

Author: Senator Brown