Approved bill honors Alpha Phi Alpha

The U.S. Senate yesterday unanimously approved a resolution originally introduced by Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) to honor the 100th anniversary of Alpha Phi Alpha, Incorporated, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African-Americans. U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) pushed the measure through the Senate on Hinchey’s behalf. The Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity was founded in 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, which is in the congressional district that Hinchey represents.

“It is heartening to have the Senate pass this measure so close to the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Alpha Phi Alpha on December 4, 1906,” Hinchey said. “Alpha Phi Alpha is an exceptional organization that deserves to be recognized and honored for all of its many great achievements. The fraternity has helped shape more than 175,000 young men into extraordinary leaders who contribute positively to their communities and the world.”

On December 4, 1906, seven students at Cornell University founded the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to help strengthen the bonds between African-American men. The fraternity now has 350 college campus chapters and 350 alumni chapters in 44 states, the District of Columbia, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Europe. Alumni from Alpha Phi Alpha today serve as notable leaders in such fields as government, business, science, higher education, and entertainment. Some noteworthy late Alpha Phi Alpha members include Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., W.E.B. DuBois, Justice Thurgood Marshall, and John H. Johnson.

Forty-four House members cosponsored Hinchey’s resolution, including the eight House members who are Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity members: Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), Congressman David Scott (D-GA), Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY), Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL), Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), and Congressman Al Green (D-TX).
The Hinchey measure passed the House by a vote of 422-0 on July 25, 2006.