Rep. Robin Kelly Floor Speech- Honoring the Divine Nine

As we recognize the achievements of many African Americans it’s Black History Month I want to acknowledge the divine nine historically black fraternities and sororities of the National pan-hellenic Council and the role of their members in shaping our nation the divine nine members of Congress continued to grow the divine nine organizations consist of

Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity founded in 1906 at Cornell University whose Brotherhood includes the Reverend dr. Martin Luther King jr. my colleagues congressman Emanuel cleaver Danny Davis Chaka Fattah Al Green Gregory Meeks charles Rangel David Scott and Bobby Scott legendary Olympic gold medalists Jesse Owens National Urban League President Marc Morial and legal pioneers

Charles Hammond Hamilton Houston and Thurgood Marshall and they are led by Grand president mark s Tillman kappa alpha phi fraternity founded in nineteen eleven at indiana university civil rights leaders the Reverend Ralph Abernathy and my colleagues Sanford Bishop William lacy clay the Dean of the house john conyers alcee hastings Bennie

Thompson and Hakim Jeffrey General Daniel chappie james the first african-american four-star general attorney Johnnie Cochran and dr. Bernard Hans jr. the first black astronaut and the special shout out to a proud kappa brace clement of seattle washington they are led by grandpa mark william Randy Bates Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority founded

In 1908 at Howard University a sisterhood who proudly boasts of congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Eddie Bernice Johnson Terri Sewell Frederica Wilson Alma Adams and Bonnie Watson Coleman astronaut mae Jemison the late Maya Angelou and late civil rights leaders Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King and their honorable president

Dorothy wilson omega phi phi fraternity founded in nineteen eleven at howard university men who include in their ranks assistant House Democratic Leader james Clyburn of South Carolina congressman Hank Johnson Kendrick Meek NASA Administrator Charles Bolden Hall of Fame Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan dr. Charles drew whose medical

Research in the field of blood transfusions led to the founding of the blood bank and they’re led by the honourable grand basileus Antonio F knock senior delta sigma theta founded in nineteen thirteen at Howard University who count his sisters our next attorney general Loretta Lynch congresswoman Marcia fudge Yvette Clarke

Joyce Beatty and Brenda Lawrence the first african-american woman elected to Congress shirley Chisholm one of my she rose former Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman and their honorable president paul etsy walker another special shout-out to my bonus daughter Michelle mills and my mentee nikki grace phi beta sigma founded in nineteen fourteen at

Howard university the fraternity of my husband dr. Nathaniel horn civil rights pioneer and leader of the first black labor union the Brotherhood of sleeping car porters a Phillip Randolph Civil Rights icon Congressman John Lewis dr. George Washington Carver James Weldon Johnson author politician songwriter his works include lift every voice and sing

The black national anthem Alain Leroy lock first black road scholar and former President of the United States William Jefferson Clinton and they are led by President Jonathan a Manson Mason Zeta Phi Beta founded in nineteen twenty at Howard University a sisterhood that counts congresswoman Donna Edwards the late congresswoman Julia Carson author

Zora Neale Hurston Lillian Fishburne first african-american hold the rank of Rear Admiral in the US Navy and their honorable president nary bro right sigma gamma rho my sorority congresswoman Corrine brown of Florida the late Lindy Boggs of Louisiana Eugenia Charles first female prime minister of Dominica she’s the first woman elected head of

Government in the Americas the first african-american winner of the atomy awards Hattie McDaniel broadcast Trailblazer found of radio 1 Cathy Hughes and our esteemed grand basileus Bonita herring last but certainly not least iota phi theta whose brotherhood includes congressman Bobby Rush Billy ocasio former alderman to Chicago’s 26

Ward and adviser to former government Governor Pat Quinn Elvin Hayes NBA player in NBA Hall of Fame inductee the brothers and sisters of the divine nine have saved countless lives advanced civil rights and left a lasting legacy across our nation I thank divine nine brothers and sisters for their groundbreaking contributions and for

Their commitment to molding Future Leaders improving education and the advancement of civil rights I yield back

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