John Sarbanes: “Celebrating Community: A Tribute to Black Fraternal, Social and Civic Institutions'' is the theme this year of African…”

“Celebrating Community: A Tribute to Black Fraternal, Social and Civic Institutions'' is the theme this year of African American History Month. On this last day of the Month I want to pay a special tribute to the Alpha Phi Alpha, which is the oldest of the African American Greek-letter collegiate fraternities and sororities. Alpha, which I am proud to say has its headquarters in Baltimore, this year celebrates its centennial. For the past one hundred years Alpha has upheld the principles of scholarship, fellowship, good character and the uplifting of humanity principles that command our respect and admiration. It has been my privilege to work closely with Alpha in the effort to establish an appropriate memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in our Nation's Capital. More than 20 years ago I introduced legislation to assure that a monument would be built, and it took a decade to get the legislation enacted. Since 1996, when the bill was signed into law, we have moved steadily forward. The site on the Mall is set, lying between the Memorial to President Franklin Roosevelt and the Lincoln Memorial. The magnificent design is in hand. The challenging work of raising the necessary funds continues, and in this Alpha and the other African American campus organizations play a vital role. I look forward to the day, not too far in the future, when we will have on the Mall a monument worthy of Dr.…”