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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, founded
3on the campus of Howard University in 1908 and incorporated in
41913, has established a mandate for carrying out the vision of
5a new day of excellence and performance; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is the nation's oldest
7African-American sorority; the Sorority has never changed its
8mission to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical
9standards, promote unity and friendship among college women,
10help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to
11improve their social status, maintain a progressive interest in
12college life, and to be of "Service to All Mankind"; and
 
13    WHEREAS, The 2014-2018 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
14administration, under the dynamic and creative leadership of
15International President Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson, continues to
16fulfill the service imperative of the organization's founders
17with the international program "Launching New Dimensions of
18Service", which focuses on educational enrichment, health
19promotion, family strengthening, environmental ownership, and
20global impact; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Many prominent women have been or are members of
22Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., including the late First Lady

 

 

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1Eleanor Roosevelt, the late civil rights leaders Coretta Scott
2King and Rosa Parks, actress Phylicia Rashad, the late poet
3Maya Angelou, writer Toni Morrison, singer Alicia Keys,
4attorney Star Jones, financial expert Mellody Hobson,
5comedian/actress Wanda Sykes, actress Jada Pinkett-Smith, Cook
6County Recorder of Deeds Karen Yarbrough, Cook County Board
7President Toni Preckwinkle, and the President of Liberia, Ellen
8Johnson Sirleaf; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Many members of the General Assembly and
10legislative staff are members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,
11Inc., including Senate Majority Whip Mattie Hunter, Senator Toi
12Hutchinson, and India Hammons; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha's storied history of proven
14leadership and extensive involvement in the world community
15through strategic partnerships evidence the sorority's
16potential to significantly contribute to the world community;
17and
 
18    WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated made
19history and expanded its international presence when it
20chartered its first chapter, Omega Theta Omega, in the Middle
21East; the chapter's 37 women, located in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and
22throughout the United Arab Emirates, are business executives,
23attorneys, educators, and physicians, among other accomplished

 

 

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1professionals; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Leadership development is essential to the
3vitality of the organization, and the sorority's continuing
4requirements of academic excellence, shared values, and
5dedication to the mission of Alpha Kappa Alpha ensure a
6continuous wellspring of quality leaders; therefore, be it
 
7    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
8HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
9declare the date of May 9, 2018 as Alpha Kappa Alpha Day in the
10State of Illinois in honor of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,
11Incorporated, and its work; and be it further
 
12    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
13provided to Kathy Walker Steele, Central Regional Director;
14Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson, International President; Sylvia
15Blackmon-Roberts, International Connection Committee Chairman;
16and Bakahia Reed Madison, Central Regional Representative to
17the International Connection Committee.