LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Gamma Iota Lambda Alumni Chapter of
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity upon the occasion of its 4th Annual June-
teenth Summer Formal on June 12, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to organizations of true purpose and worthy accomplishment which
are dedicated to serving their community and to celebrating and preserv-
ing their rich ethnic heritage; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the gentlemen of the Gamma Iota Lambda Alumni Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity, Inc. upon the occasion of their 4th Annual Juneteenth Summer
Formal, held at Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadow Park on Friday,
June 12, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek letter
fraternity established by African-Americans, was founded on December 4,
1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, by seven visionary men,
now collectively known as the "Seven Jewels," who together with other
early leaders of Alpha Phi Alpha succeeded in laying a firm foundation
for the fraternity's principles of scholarship, fellowship, good charac-
ter, and the uplifting of humanity; and
WHEREAS, Since its founding more than 100 years ago, Alpha Phi Alpha
has supplied voice and vision to the struggle of African-Americans and
people of color around the world; it has initiated over 185,000 men into
the organization and has been open to men of all races since 1940;
today, there are over 680 active Alpha chapters in the Americas, Africa,
Europe, Asia, the West Indies, and the Virgin Islands; and
WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha's numerous distinguished members include
W.E.B. DuBois, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Edward Brooke, Martin Luther
King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Andrew Young, Paul Robeson, Jesse Owens,
Hubert Humphrey, Maynard Jackson and numerous other American leaders who
have adopted the fraternity's principles of manly deeds, scholarship,
and love for all mankind; and
WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha evolved into a primarily service organization
and has provided leadership and service during the Great Depression,
both World Wars, and the Civil Rights Movement and continues to address
social, political and cultural issues affecting people of color; and
WHEREAS, The Brooklyn-Long Island Alphas of the Gamma Iota Lambda
Alumni Chapter, in keeping with this fine tradition, continue to work to
develop leaders and to promote brotherhood and academic excellence while
providing service and advocacy for their community and, this year,
worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Brooklyn on voter registration
and mentoring students to encourage academic excellence and, in conjunc-
tion with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Jack and Jill of America,
conducted a Project Alpha workshop at Boys and Girls High School for
young men on matters of health and responsibility; and
WHEREAS, The Juneteenth Summer Formal has become Gamma Iota Lambda's
signature event at which it proudly celebrates Juneteenth, the oldest
known celebration of the ending of slavery, raises funds for its Schol-
arship Program for first year college students, and honors members of
the community who exemplify the principles of Alpha Phi Alpha and help
to support and further its mission; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be recognized and celebrated by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Gamma Iota Lambda Alumni Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Frater-
nity upon the occasion of its 4th Annual Juneteenth Summer Formal on
June 12, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Gamma Iota Lambda Alumni Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraterni-
ty, Inc., 593 Vanderbilt Avenue, PMB 210, Brooklyn, New York 12238.