[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 15 (Thursday, February 9, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S975-S976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA

 Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, on January 12-15, 2006, the State 
of Mississippi hosted the Alpha Kappa Alpha, AKA, Sorority's 98th 
National Founders Day Weekend which celebrates the founding of the 
first Greek-letter organization of African-American college women in 
1908. AKA was created to encourage high scholastic and ethical 
standards and to enrich the social and intellectual aspects of college 
life for African American women. AKA is now a 17,000 member 
organization with a broad mission to improve conditions in communities 
through volunteer service. AKA has made great strides in helping 
individuals and communities develop and maintain constructive 
relationships with others. National Founders Day Weekend also serves to 
recognize and commemorate the Mississippi Health Project.
  The Mississippi Health Project, sponsored by AKA, brought primary 
medical care to the rural Black population across the state of 
Mississippi for 2 to 6 weeks every summer from 1935 to 1942. During the 
98th National Founders Day Weekend, a historic landmark was dedicated 
in Mound Bayou in the Mississippi Delta to commemorate the success of 
the Mississippi Health Project and to serve as a reminder of AKA's 
continuing commitment to provide health services to families across the 
world.

[[Page S976]]

  Through collaboration with the National Institutes of Health's 
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the 
University of Mississippi Medical Center, AKA hosted a health forum in 
Jackson, MS, as part of the 98th National Founders Day Weekend. 
Additional activities included health fairs in Jackson and the 
Mississippi Delta, a special salute to AKA members affected by 
Hurricane Katrina, and an African-American Heritage tour.
  I applaud the accomplishments of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and 
recognize the 98th National Founders Day Weekend as the first national 
AKA meeting in Mississippi.

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