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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's mission of "Service to All
7Mankind" began at its inception; the sorority has remained at
8the forefront of positive change in American life, particularly
9in the African-American community, for 105 years; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Many prominent women have been or are members of
11Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., including the late First Lady
12Eleanor Roosevelt, the late civil rights leaders Coretta Scott
13King and Rosa Parks, actress Phylicia Rashad, poet Maya
14Angelou, writer Toni Morrison, singer Alicia Keys, attorney
15Star Jones, financial expert Mellody Hobson, comedian/actress
16Wanda Sykes, actress Jada Pinkett-Smith, congresswoman Eddie
17Bernice Johnson, former U.S. Secretary of Energy Hazel O'Leary,
18congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Cook County Recorder of Deeds
19Karen Yarbrough, and CNN reporter Suzanne Malveaux; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Many members of the General Assembly and
21legislative staff are members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,
22Inc., including Senator Mattie Hunter, Senator Toi Hutchinson,

 

 

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1Representative Monique Davis, India Hammons, and Nia
2Odeoti-Hassan, who serves as the Illinois State Connection
3Coordinator in the Central Region under the leadership of
4Regional Director Dr. Gisele M. Casanova; and
 
5    WHEREAS, The 2010-2014 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.,
6administration, under the leadership of attorney Carolyn House
7Stewart, continues to fulfill the service imperative of the
8founders with the theme, "Global Leadership Through Timeless
9Service", and the "Collaboration, Advocacy, Registration,
10Education and Stimulation (C.A.R.E.S.) Program Through Global
11Leadership and Timeless Service"; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.'s signature
13program, the Emerging Young Leaders (EYL), will impact 10,000
14girls in grades 6 through 8 by providing leadership
15development, civic engagement, enhanced academic preparation,
16and character building; the program is implemented by all 90
17AKA chapters of the Central Region, which consists of Illinois,
18Indiana, Missouri (St. Louis and Cape Girardeau), Minnesota,
19Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Kentucky; young
20women from the Illinois programs will be a part of the day at
21the Capitol on May 15, 2013; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha's storied history of proven
23leadership and extensive involvement in the world community

 

 

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1through strategic partnerships evidence the sorority's
2potential to significantly contribute to the world community;
3and
 
4    WHEREAS, Leadership development is essential to the
5vitality of the organization, and the sorority's continuing
6requirements of academic excellence, shared values, and
7dedication to the mission of Alpha Kappa Alpha ensure a
8continuous wellspring of quality leaders; therefore, be it
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
10NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
11we designate the date of May 15, 2013 as Alpha Kappa Alpha Day
12in the State of Illinois in honor of Alpha Kappa Alpha
13Sorority, Incorporated, and its work; and be it further
 
14    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
15provided to the sorority for presentation to attorney Carolyn
16House Stewart, International President; Dr. Gisele M.
17Casanova, Central Regional Director; Kiahna Davis, Central
18Regional Representative to the International Connection
19Committee; and attorney Leyser Hayes, International Chair of
20the Connection Committee.