LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Gamma Iota Lambda Alumni Chapter
of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity upon the occasion of hosting its June-
teenth Summer Formal, and paying tribute to this year's honorees on June
18, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 Gamma Iota Lambda Alumni Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity upon
the occasion of hosting its Juneteenth Summer Formal, to be celebrated
on Saturday, June 18, 2016, at Terrace on the Park, Flushing, New York,
and paying tribute to this year's honorees; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious event offers an opportunity for the Gamma
Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to present the
distinguished PHI Award to individuals who have made great accomplish-
ments and have helped to better their community; and
WHEREAS, This year's recipients are Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III,
Pastor of the Historical Abyssinian Baptist Church, Harlem, New York;
and Fabrice Armand, entrepreneur, philanthropist and advocate for Haiti;
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 community 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, Under the luminous leadership of President, Stephen Mortley-
Edwards, the Brooklyn-Long Island Alphas of the Gamma Iota Lambda Alumni
Chapter, in keeping with this fine tradition, continue to work to devel-
op 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 Census 2010 awareness drives, mentoring students to encourage
academic excellence and, in conjunction with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
and Jack and Jill of America, conducted a Teen Health Summit at Boys and
Girls High School; the young men and women in the community were

educated on sexual health, responsibility, abstinence and
relationship/self-esteem issues related to domestic violence; 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 hosting its Juneteenth Summer Formal on June
18, 2016, and paying tribute to this year's honorees; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Stephen Mortley-Edwards, President, Gamma Iota Lambda Alumni
Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and to the aforementioned
honorees.