Senate Resolution No. 608

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMENDING the Brooklyn-Long Island Alumni Chapter
of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. upon the
occasion of hosting its Public Meeting for the
Northeastern Province's 89th Regional Council on
March 22, 2019

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
illustrious organizations within the State of New York whose focus and
intent have made a substantial impact on the quality of life in their
communities; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Brooklyn-Long Island Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting its Public Meeting for the
Northeastern Province's 89th Regional Council on Friday, March 22, 2019;
and

WHEREAS, On April 9, 1949, the Brooklyn Alumni Chapter was chartered
with the vision to spread its concepts and ideals in its community; in
1960, that name was changed to the Brooklyn-Long Island Alumni Chapter;
the original 15 members included Lewis S. Flagg, III, Polemarch; Leroy
A. Payne, Vice Polemarch; Clifton E. Gross, Keeper of Records; Frank C.
Johnson, Keeper of the Exchequer; Claude B. Cave, Historian; and Elliott
J. Barnett, Williams Brooks, Wesley H. Carrion, William M. Chisholm, R.
Risley Dent, Jr., Charles R. Joseph, Rudolph Scott, Frizzell J. Smith,
Austin Sobers and LaVerte T. Warren; and

WHEREAS, These civic-minded men worked diligently to better their
Brooklyn community in a myriad of ways including annual Thanksgiving
turkey drives, toy drives, mentorship programs for youth, and, in
conjunction with local foundations, graciously donated significant funds
to inner-city high school students entering college; and

WHEREAS, In 1954, the Brooklyn-Long Island Alumni Chapter hosted its
first province council at the Sumner Avenue Armory; the Chapter
partnered with Long Island University-Brooklyn campus, and the first
Kappas made at Delta Mu were Preston L. Lambert, John Yancy, Nick Ramos,
Harry Eli, Randolph Grannum and Hamilton N. Jenkins; they were led by
Thomas "Beanie" Watkins and Clifford Jenkins and assisted by members of
Omicron and New York Alumni; and

WHEREAS, Shortly thereafter, the Brooklyn-Long Island Alumni Chapter
established the Guide Right Program at JHS 35 under the leadership of
Brother Sobers; the Chapter branched out and contributed to athletic
programs and other events in the community such as the Annual
Scholarship Dance which raises significant funds for local youth; and

WHEREAS, The Brooklyn-Long Island Alumni Chapter also developed the
Kappa League Program; under the luminous leadership of Donald Fields and
Leroy Talford, the Program was recognized for its good work in the
community; after serving for many years as Chairman of the NEP Guide

Right Committee, Brother Fields was honored by the NEP with the James M.
Kidd Award for Distinguished Service; and

WHEREAS, Also, during this time period, two of the stalwart chapter
members played important roles on the Grand Chapter level; Donell H.
"Flat Top" Edgerton III was elected to the position of Grand Chapter
Nominating Committee Chairman and served in that role for 19 years, and
Brother William S. "Bill" Eaddy was Grand Chapter Recorder for many
years; and

WHEREAS, In 1970, the Brooklyn-Long Island Alumni Chapter hosted its
second Province Council, and in the 1980s and 1990s, it expanded its
involvement with undergraduate chapters by helping organize the Mu Pi
Chapter and chartering Xi Zeta and Xi Omicron Chapters, and became
advisors for Mu Omicron Chapter; and

WHEREAS, The Brooklyn-Long Island Alumni Chapter also supported its
community by holding canned food and clothing drives, distributing
Thanksgiving baskets and meals, and held various walk/run-a-thons, and
SAT workshops for college hopefuls; and

WHEREAS, In addition, the Brooklyn-Long Island Alumni Chapter hosted
its Annual Alumni Greek Step Show to raise funds for both the College
Fund and the Hale House, the 62nd NEP Council, and the 1993 CRWLC; and

WHEREAS, The success of Brooklyn-Long Island Alumni Chapter of Kappa
Alpha Psi Fraternity is in direct correlation to the efforts of its
members, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an
impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising
standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the sorority and
the population it serves; and

WHEREAS, In light of its commitment, dedication, and successful
efforts, it is the practice of this Legislative Body to extend its
highest commendation to the Brooklyn-Long Island Alumni Chapter of Kappa
Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Brooklyn-Long Island Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting its Public Meeting for the
Northeastern Province's 89th Regional Council on March 22, 2019; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Brooklyn-Long Island Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha
Psi Fraternity, Inc.