2026 SESSION

ENROLLED

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 158

Commending the Epsilon Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 26, 2026

WHEREAS, for 75 years, the Epsilon Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., in Suffolk has greatly served the Southeastern Virginia community through a variety of programs and services; and

WHEREAS, in 1906, a group of visionary men united by the values of scholarship, service, and brotherhood formed Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the nation's oldest intercollegiate historically African American Greek-letter fraternity; and

WHEREAS, in the late 1940s, Alpha Phi Alpha members living in Suffolk and Smithfield recognized the need for a graduate chapter that could provide structure for service initiatives, mentorship, and civic leadership within Southeast Virginia; and

WHEREAS, with guidance from Alpha Phi Alpha's general office and sponsorship from the Zeta Lambda Chapter of Newport News, the Epsilon Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity was officially chartered on October 1, 1950, with W. Lovell Turner serving as its first president; and

WHEREAS, since its founding, the Epsilon Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha has encouraged fellowship and service through a number of signature activities and programs, including its Charter Breakfast, Black and Gold Gala, and annual golf tournament; and

WHEREAS, the Epsilon Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha has implemented a number of Alpha Phi Alpha initiatives to promote leadership, community engagement, educational advocacy, and civic responsibility, including Brother's Keeper; A Voteless People is a Hopeless People; Go to High School, Go to College; and Project Alpha; and

WHEREAS, today, the service area of the Epsilon Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha reaches Franklin, Isle of Wight County, Southampton County, Smithfield, Sussex County, and the surrounding communities; and

WHEREAS, through the dedication and efforts of its members, the Epsilon Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha has provided food assistance to more than 10,000 families annually, presented more than $75,000 in scholarships to local students, and supported a variety of environmental, educational, humanitarian, and civic initiatives in the community; and

WHEREAS, for several generations, the Epsilon Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha has served as a beacon of leadership and community investment, reflecting the enduring value of fraternal service and collective responsibility; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Epsilon Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., hereby be commended on the occasion of its 75th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Epsilon Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the organization's contributions to Southeast Virginia and the Commonwealth.