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a Ceremonial Resolution
21-94
In the Council of the District of Columbia
July 14, 2015
To recognize and honor the Omicron Eta Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Incorporated on its 30th anniversary.
WHEREAS, on December 4, 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (“Alpha Phi Alpha”) was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York by 7 college men who recognized the need for a strong bond of brotherhood among African descendants in this country;
WHEREAS, the visionary founders of Alpha Phi Alpha were Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle, and Vertner Woodson Tandy;
WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha became the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African-Americans;
WHEREAS, Alpha Phi Alpha engages in civic and community service to develop leaders and to help men and women achieve higher social, economic and intellectual status;
WHEREAS, since its founding in 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha has supplied voice and vision to the struggle of African Americans and people of color around the world;
WHEREAS, on September 1, 1985, the chapter was chartered by the General Organization of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. as Omicron Eta Lambda (“OHL”) with its seat in Washington, D.C.;
WHEREAS, the first brother elected President was Eugene C. Thomas, and the chartering ceremony was held at Andrews Air Force Base in Suitland, Maryland on January 31, 1986;
WHEREAS, OHL’s chartering brothers are Stephen D. Adams, John M. Anderson, Ryle A. Bell, Jimmy B. Boyd, Arnold Bullard, Duane Calloway, Jesse D. Dawkins, Reginald L. Dunn, Malachi B. Jones, Reginald B. Lawrence, Hubert E. Michel, Willie G. Robinson, Jaru Ruley, Ray E. Spears, Eugene C. Thomas, Harry W. Taylor, Robert Warren, Jr., and Jacob R. Wormley, III;
WHEREAS, in keeping with the fraternity’s principles, the Omicron Eta Lambda Charitable Foundation annually awards several scholarships of up to $4,000 to eligible senior high school male students enrolled in District of Columbia public schools;
WHEREAS, OHL has since its inception been civically engaged in the District of Columbia through its many philanthropic efforts and service-oriented activities, including an annual community day where OHL provides free health screenings, haircuts, school supplies, games, and food;
WHEREAS, OHL’s "1906 Food Drive" collects 1,906 non-perishable food items and distributes them during Alpha Week to So Others Might Eat;
WHEREAS, OHL works to preserve the beauty of the District of Columbia by participating in the Adopt-A-Block program;
WHEREAS, OHL is currently in the process of developing an emerging partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation to continue working with the King Greenleaf Recreation Center; and
WHEREAS, under current President Thomas L. Davis, OHL continues the work of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and continues to uphold the aims of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., which are: "Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love for All Mankind".
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that the Council of the District of Columbia recognizes the 30th anniversary of Omicron Eta Lambda and Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc. and commends its service and commitment to improving the District of Columbia.
Sec. 2. This resolution may be cited as the “Omicron Eta Lambda 30th Anniversary Recognition Resolution of 2015”.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
