HR0236 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0236 LRB100 11962 MST 23831 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men, was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York by seven college men who recognized the need for a strong bond of brotherhood among African descendants in the United States; the visionary founders are known as the "Jewels" of the fraternity; and

WHEREAS, The fraternity initially served as a study and support group for minority students who faced racial prejudice, both educationally and socially, at Cornell; the Jewel founders and early leaders of the fraternity succeeded in laying a firm foundation for Alpha Phi Alpha's principles of scholarship, fellowship, good character, and the uplifting of humanity; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha chapters were established at other colleges and universities; the first alumni chapter was established in 1911; and

WHEREAS, The roots of Tau Chapter are based in the 1915 founding of the Beta Pi Fraternity; the Ninth Convention of Alpha Phi Fraternity, Inc. elected to induct the members of Beta Pi into the fraternity as its 18th undergraduate chapter; and

WHEREAS, The Tau Chapter at the University of Illinois was installed on March 23, 1917 by Brother George P. Hinton of Pi Chapter; the first President of Tau Chapter was George A. Ferguson; charter members were H.K. Barnett, Benjamin C. Duster, Lewis Giles, Clifton Hardy, R.E. Mizell, E.J. Powell, Theodore Roane, W.H. Sutton, Ross Taylor, and A.E. Woodruff; and

WHEREAS, Many notable Tau Chapter alumni were leaders in the fields of public service, education, and business, including Richard Harewod, the first African American elected State Representative; Clifton Hardy, the first African American to graduate from the University of Chicago School of Business Administration in 1921; William L. Camfield, the first African American to receive a Ph.D. in accountancy at the University of Illinois; and Charles E. McGee, a Tuskegee Airman in the 332nd who holds the record of 409 fighter combat missions flown during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam; he was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2011; and

WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. recognized the need to help correct the educational, economic, political, and social injustices faced by African Americans; Alpha develops leaders, promotes brotherhood and economic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for their communities; and

WHEREAS, The 18th House of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. known as Too Tuff Tau, is celebrating its 100th anniversary at the University of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the 100th anniversary of the Tau Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha at the University of Illinois, and we wish them many more wonderful years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Tau Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha at the University of Illinois.