[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 19, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E863]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MU LAMBDA CHAPTER OF ALPHA PHI 
                            ALPHA FRATERNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 19, 2023

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor the 100th 
anniversary of the chartering of the Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi 
Alpha Fraternity, the eleventh alumni chapter of the first 
intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African 
Americans.
  The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity was founded on December 4, 1906, by 7 
young African American men, known as the Seven Jewels, at Cornell 
University in Ithaca, New York. The founders of the fraternity--Henry 
Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George 
Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle and Vertner 
Woodson Tandy--recognized the need for a strong bond of brotherhood 
among African Africans.
  The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity is the largest predominantly African 
American intercollegiate fraternity and 1 of the 10 largest 
intercollegiate fraternities in the Nation, with more than 850 chapters 
around the world. The fraternity is led by General President Dr. Willis 
L. Lonzer, III, Interim Executive Director Sean L. McCaskill, 
Comptroller Donald E. Jackson and General Treasurer Densel Fleming. Its 
Eastern Region and Mid-Atlantic Association of Alpha Chapters are led 
by Regional Vice President East Christopher G. Ellis, Jr., Regional 
Assistant Vice President East Tamir D. Harper, District VI Director Ray 
Hawkins, Jr., Assistant District VI Director Noah Absalon, and Area 
Director Michael Taylor.
  The Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity was established 
as the first alumni chapter in the District of Columbia on October 1, 
1923, in response to the desire of graduate members, many of whom were 
initiated into the Beta Chapter at Howard University, to give aid to 
the undergraduate members and continue the work of the fraternity after 
graduation.
  The Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity established the 
Mu Lambda Foundation in 1994 expressly to provide community service to 
residents of the District of Columbia and to inspire and assist today's 
youth in their quest to make their mark on society. For 100 years, the 
Mu Lambda Chapter has played a role in the positive development of the 
character and education of men. Six members of the Mu Lambda Chapter 
have served as the General President of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, 
Inc. and two have served as the Eastern Region Vice President. Members 
of the Mu Lambda Chapter are leaders in the areas of government, 
business, entertainment, philanthropy, law, non-profit, science, 
sports, literature, armed services, religion and academia.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
commending the members of the Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, 
past and present, for their bond of friendship, common ideals and 
beliefs, and service to their community and in expressing our best 
wishes for the Mu Lambda Chapter's continued growth and success.