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Friday, 09 August 2019 20:53

Alpha Phi Alpha Resolution Supporting D.C. Statehood

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Alpha Phi Alpha Resolution Supporting Statehood for the District of Columbia

Whereas, since its founding on Dec. 4, 1906 at Cornell University, the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., has defended the rights of all American citizens to vote; and

Whereas, Alpha Phi Alpha has strongly supported the successful civil rights movement of the 20th century; and

Whereas, many members of Alpha Phi Alpha across the country were critical in securing Congressional approval in 1978 of the proposed Constitutional Amendment that would have given the people of DC the right to vote for members of Congress; and

Whereas, in spite of the efforts of many Alphas, the people of DC still do not have the right to vote for members of Congress and are subject to Congressional interference in their state and local government; and

Whereas, legislation such as an admission act, which is now before Congress, would create the 51st state of Washington, D.C. out of the residential and commercial areas of DC, while keeping the core of federal buildings, monuments, museums and the mall in the smaller federal District of Columbia. This would at last make it possible for the people of DC to have the right to vote for members of Congress and to be free of Congressional interference; and

Whereas, this new state will become the 51st state of the United States of America when legislation is passed by both houses of Congress and signed by the President; and

Whereas, statehood for the people of DC is consistent with Alpha Phi Alpha’s position on a people’s right to self-determination and self-governance in DC; and

Whereas, passage of legislation that would provide statehood for the people of DC requires sustained advocacy during several Congresses; and

Whereas, support for statehood for the people of DC has been gaining momentum during the last three Congresses and now has record numbers of cosponsors in both the House (206) and the Senate (32); and

Whereas, mobilizing sufficient support to pass legislation that would provide statehood for the people of DC will require the advocacy of voters who do have Congressional representation; and

Whereas, Alpha Phi Alpha has a rich history in DC with the founding of Beta chapter in 1907 followed by Mu Lambda, Omicron Lambda Alpha, Omicron Eta Lambda, Omicron Omicron and Nu Beta; and

Whereas, support from Alpha Phi Alpha will make it possible to significantly increase Congressional support for statehood for the people of DC:

Therefore, be it resolved that the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. strongly support legislation that will establish statehood for the people of the District of Columbia.

Submitted by Brother James Wright Jr., of Omicron Lambda Alpha.

Click here to download the Alpha Phi Alpha Resolution.

 

 

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