Showing posts with label Rockville. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rockville. Show all posts
Friday, June 4, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Rockville Memorial Library: Remarks of County Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg at the Renaming Ceremony, May 28, 2010
Renaming of the
Rockville Memorial Library
May 28, 2010
On behalf of Council President Nancy Floreen and my colleagues on the Montgomery County Council, I want to add our very warm welcome to all who are attending this joyful ceremony to rename this library—the Rockville Memorial Library.
County Executive Leggett, Mayor Marcuccio, and Secretary Chow, thank you for your leadership in our community and your steadfast support for those who have served in Nation’s Armed Forces.
All of my colleagues on the County Council are proud of the dedication and service of all members of our Armed Forces and we honor the memories of those who died in the defense of freedom. We salute their many accomplishments and recognize the many sacrifices they made to protect our Nation’s liberties and our American way of life.
Throughout our long history as a Nation—and as a County—members of America’s Armed Forces have stood guard against all threats to our Nation. And when they were called, they have gone into battle, with purpose, conviction, and courage to defend our interests throughout the world.
Some returned from the battle; some did not.
Our country and our County are stronger because of their service, because of their strength, because of their intelligence, and because of their courage. We owe them everything for their many contributions to America’s greatness.
On Monday, May 31st, we will observe Memorial Day across the Nation. More than a date on the calendar, it is a special day of remembrance for those who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their greatest gift to our country.
Today, as we proudly rename this library, we should reaffirm our commitment to those members of our Armed Forces who live in our community and pledge to do more to help those who have served.
As a County, Montgomery can do more to help our Veterans and their families deal with the issues of health care, homelessness, education, and jobs. We can help Veterans and their families deal with the range of physical and mental illnesses that often are related to military service. And we can help them “navigate” the complex systems of federal and state resources for veterans and their families. And this is what we’ll do. This is our solemn obligation to those who have fought the fight, and for their widows, widowers, and orphans.
Today, we remember those who died—in our hearts, our memories and our prayers. We must never forget their contribution to our Nation and their protection of the American family. With the Rockville Memorial Library, we will never forget.
Thank you.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Trachtenberg Office Attends Talk on Immigrant Families in America by Best Selling Author Steven V. Roberts
Naomi Bloch attended Monday evening’s talk by Steven V. Roberts, best selling author, professor, TV and Radio Analyst that was hosted by the Montgomery County Committee for Ethnic Affairs (CEA) that took place at the Rockville Library from 7:00 to 9:00.
Mr. Roberts spoke about his recent book: “From Every End of This Earth: 13 Families and the New Lives They Made in America”, that profiles 13 families who immigrated to America. Mr. Roberts shared his own family’s immigrant experiences and discussed that even though the immigrant experience is different for each family, the one common thread is what Mr. Roberts described as the sacrifice generation, the ones that face "the pain of dislocation, of missing home, of living in two worlds and never feeling completely comfortable in either one." For many immigrants, this sacrifice is made for the sake of their children.
After Mr. Roberts’ remarks, he opened up the discussion and asked people in the audience to share their own stories concerning their personal immigrant experiences. The issue of intolerance toward new immigrants was discussed extensively and Mr. Roberts pointed out the long history of intolerance in America and how each of the various groups that were at first opposed have gone on to make invaluable contributions to this country and have also ultimately accepted into the society.
Mr. Roberts' talk is the first in a series under a pilot program developed by the Committee on Ethnic Affairs (CEA) to encourage communication among the diverse ethnic communities of Montgomery County. The CEA is under the umbrella of the Office of the County Executive, Office of Community Partnerships. Its purpose is to bridge the cultural diversity of all ethnic groups in Montgomery County and its mission is to advise the County Executive and the County Council on public policy that relates to ethnic affairs and to promote maximum involvement of all ethnic groups in the County government and other County services and programs.
For more information, click here.
CEA on Facebook.
Mr. Roberts spoke about his recent book: “From Every End of This Earth: 13 Families and the New Lives They Made in America”, that profiles 13 families who immigrated to America. Mr. Roberts shared his own family’s immigrant experiences and discussed that even though the immigrant experience is different for each family, the one common thread is what Mr. Roberts described as the sacrifice generation, the ones that face "the pain of dislocation, of missing home, of living in two worlds and never feeling completely comfortable in either one." For many immigrants, this sacrifice is made for the sake of their children.
After Mr. Roberts’ remarks, he opened up the discussion and asked people in the audience to share their own stories concerning their personal immigrant experiences. The issue of intolerance toward new immigrants was discussed extensively and Mr. Roberts pointed out the long history of intolerance in America and how each of the various groups that were at first opposed have gone on to make invaluable contributions to this country and have also ultimately accepted into the society.
Mr. Roberts' talk is the first in a series under a pilot program developed by the Committee on Ethnic Affairs (CEA) to encourage communication among the diverse ethnic communities of Montgomery County. The CEA is under the umbrella of the Office of the County Executive, Office of Community Partnerships. Its purpose is to bridge the cultural diversity of all ethnic groups in Montgomery County and its mission is to advise the County Executive and the County Council on public policy that relates to ethnic affairs and to promote maximum involvement of all ethnic groups in the County government and other County services and programs.
For more information, click here.
CEA on Facebook.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Councilmember Trachtenberg Speaks at African Affairs Advisory Group Meeting
Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg was guest speaker at last night’s meeting of the African Affairs Advisory Group; a monthly meeting that takes place in the Office of Community Partnerships located at 255 Rockville Pike, Suite 102, in Rockville.
The group was very accommodating of Councilmember Trachtenberg’s tight schedule by agreeing to start their meeting earlier than usual with her remarks which were followed by a Q&A session.
Councilmember Trachtenberg gave the group a very sobering report about the budget and how unprecedented the challenges were facing the County Council as they now try to balance the county’s budget. She explained that since the County Executive delivered his recommended budget on March 15th, that our budget situation has become even more grave because the income tax distribution anticipated from the State Comptroller is now $24.5 lower than previously estimated.
Questions focused on how the group could better advocate on behalf of their unique needs, to which the Councilmember gave some helpful suggestions on how best to reach out to various stake holders in order to formulate clear proposal on what the group was seeking in the areas of health care and business development.
There is a serious ongoing concern about how best to help immigrants from African nations with advanced degrees to be able to continue working in these areas once they are in this country and county. It was noted that many trained doctors, nurses and other professionals are working at low level jobs here in order to support their families because their professional training isn’t translatable here in America. Some suggestions were discussed on how best to work on this issue area and this conversation will be ongoing.
The group was very accommodating of Councilmember Trachtenberg’s tight schedule by agreeing to start their meeting earlier than usual with her remarks which were followed by a Q&A session.
Councilmember Trachtenberg gave the group a very sobering report about the budget and how unprecedented the challenges were facing the County Council as they now try to balance the county’s budget. She explained that since the County Executive delivered his recommended budget on March 15th, that our budget situation has become even more grave because the income tax distribution anticipated from the State Comptroller is now $24.5 lower than previously estimated.
Questions focused on how the group could better advocate on behalf of their unique needs, to which the Councilmember gave some helpful suggestions on how best to reach out to various stake holders in order to formulate clear proposal on what the group was seeking in the areas of health care and business development.
There is a serious ongoing concern about how best to help immigrants from African nations with advanced degrees to be able to continue working in these areas once they are in this country and county. It was noted that many trained doctors, nurses and other professionals are working at low level jobs here in order to support their families because their professional training isn’t translatable here in America. Some suggestions were discussed on how best to work on this issue area and this conversation will be ongoing.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Trachtenberg Office Attends Caribbean American Advisory Group Meeting
Naomi Bloch attended last night’s monthly meeting of the Caribbean American Advisory Group representing the Trachtenberg office. The meeting took place, as usual in the Office of Community Partnerships located at 255 Rockville Pike, Suite 102.
An update was given by Daniel Koroma about last Saturday’s Census rallies that took place at three different locations around the county to educate about the importance of the 2010 Census Count for Montgomery County. The day’s events had positive and measurable results and it deemed a great success!
The various committees reported to the Group Chair, Ms. Rayness Mayne, about the status of the planning taking place in advance of Caribbean Heritage Month kick-off event to take place at the Executive Office Building Cafeteria on June 4th at 6:00 pm. The festivities being planned will include music; food; dance and speakers that will highlight the Caribbean communities here in Montgomery County.
The purpose of the Advisory Group is to ensure that the County Executive is well informed of and able to act effectively to respond to the needs and concerns of the Caribbean community living and/or working in Montgomery County. For more information about the Caribbean American Advisory Group, click here.
An update was given by Daniel Koroma about last Saturday’s Census rallies that took place at three different locations around the county to educate about the importance of the 2010 Census Count for Montgomery County. The day’s events had positive and measurable results and it deemed a great success!
The various committees reported to the Group Chair, Ms. Rayness Mayne, about the status of the planning taking place in advance of Caribbean Heritage Month kick-off event to take place at the Executive Office Building Cafeteria on June 4th at 6:00 pm. The festivities being planned will include music; food; dance and speakers that will highlight the Caribbean communities here in Montgomery County.
The purpose of the Advisory Group is to ensure that the County Executive is well informed of and able to act effectively to respond to the needs and concerns of the Caribbean community living and/or working in Montgomery County. For more information about the Caribbean American Advisory Group, click here.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Councilmember Trachtenberg Meets with Mayors and Councilmembers of Rockville and Gaithersburg on Gaithersburg West Master Plan
Councilmember Trachtenberg met today with the Mayors of Rockville and Gaithersburg to discuss aspects of the Gaithersburg West Master Plan.
Rockville Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio was joined at the meeting by Councilmember Bridget Donnell Newton and members of the City’s planning staff. Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney A. Katz was joined by Council Vice President Cathy C. Drzyzgula, and Angel Jones, City Manager as well as other representatives of the Gaithersburg municipal government.
In the meeting, the Mayors discussed a range of key issues of concern to residents, including proposed density in the plan area, transportation and traffic concerns, economic forecasts, connectivity between neighborhoods and the proposed mixed-use development; the impact of the Gaithersburg West development on the Rockville and Gaithersburg municipalities, staging, development oversight, and general quality of life issues.
Councilmember Trachtenberg reiterated her view that the proposed plan must appropriately balance the development that the County needs with the quality of life that County residents need. She discussed her legislative proposal, currently before the Council, that the County should designate an individual or individuals who would have oversight responsibility for coordinating development and staging in master planned areas, like White Flint and Gaithersburg West.
She added that it was important for the municipalities to continue to consult closely with members of the County Council and Planning Board staff to refine the proposal so that it met the broad community’s expectation about development, traffic, transit, housing, and environmental sustainability.
The Gaithersburg West Master Plan is currently being discussed by the County Council’s Committee on Planning, Housing & Economic Development (PHED), and will be considered by the full Council later this Spring.
The Plan is a 21st-century blueprint for the Shady Grove Life Sciences Center (LSC), home to a major hospital, academic institutions, and private biotechnology companies.
The objective of the Plan is to turn the now sprawling, single-use, auto-oriented area into a vibrant, dynamic, and walkable district with a physical form that is as inspiring as the discoveries that are going on inside the labs and classrooms throughout the area.
The Gaithersburg West Master Plan: Summary | Draft
Trachtenberg staff members Alan Bowser, Emily Hoopes, and Naomi Bloch also attended the meeting.
Rockville Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio was joined at the meeting by Councilmember Bridget Donnell Newton and members of the City’s planning staff. Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney A. Katz was joined by Council Vice President Cathy C. Drzyzgula, and Angel Jones, City Manager as well as other representatives of the Gaithersburg municipal government.
In the meeting, the Mayors discussed a range of key issues of concern to residents, including proposed density in the plan area, transportation and traffic concerns, economic forecasts, connectivity between neighborhoods and the proposed mixed-use development; the impact of the Gaithersburg West development on the Rockville and Gaithersburg municipalities, staging, development oversight, and general quality of life issues.
Councilmember Trachtenberg reiterated her view that the proposed plan must appropriately balance the development that the County needs with the quality of life that County residents need. She discussed her legislative proposal, currently before the Council, that the County should designate an individual or individuals who would have oversight responsibility for coordinating development and staging in master planned areas, like White Flint and Gaithersburg West.
She added that it was important for the municipalities to continue to consult closely with members of the County Council and Planning Board staff to refine the proposal so that it met the broad community’s expectation about development, traffic, transit, housing, and environmental sustainability.
The Gaithersburg West Master Plan is currently being discussed by the County Council’s Committee on Planning, Housing & Economic Development (PHED), and will be considered by the full Council later this Spring.
The Plan is a 21st-century blueprint for the Shady Grove Life Sciences Center (LSC), home to a major hospital, academic institutions, and private biotechnology companies.
The objective of the Plan is to turn the now sprawling, single-use, auto-oriented area into a vibrant, dynamic, and walkable district with a physical form that is as inspiring as the discoveries that are going on inside the labs and classrooms throughout the area.
The Gaithersburg West Master Plan: Summary | Draft
Trachtenberg staff members Alan Bowser, Emily Hoopes, and Naomi Bloch also attended the meeting.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Duchy at the Diner – Rockville Edition
A friendly crowd of friends and neighbors jammed into the Silver Diner on Rockville Pike to talk with Councilmember Trachtenberg at our “Duchy @ the Diner” event in Rockville. This was the third in a touring series of ongoing “diner” events throughout Montgomery County where Duchy meets with residents to talk about County and Council-related issues. The food was delicious, the conversation was excellent, and everybody had a great time!
Visit the Silver Diner online at http://www.silverdiner.com/restaurants/rockville-silver-diner.
Visit the Silver Diner online at http://www.silverdiner.com/restaurants/rockville-silver-diner.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Trachtenberg Office Attends Western Montgomery Citizens Advisory Board Meeting
Naomi Bloch represented the Trachtenberg office at last night’s meeting of the Western Montgomery Citizens’ Advisory Board meeting which took place at the Rockville Library located at 21 Maryland Avenue in Rockville.
There was a very full agenda that included presentations from several different speakers including:
Chief Treschuk of the Rockville Police Department; Acting Commander John Hack, Montgomery County Police – 1st District Station who updated everyone on some of the most concerning trends in the county. Two issue areas of particular concern: the rise in the theft of GPS units from cars and the ongoing problem of daytime residential robberies in Potomac.
Mr. Hamid Omidvar from the Department of General Services updating us on the plans for the Circuit Court Annex as well as a general overview of the Government Core Facilities Master Plan Study.
Mr. Fred Lees, from the Department of Transportation, talked about the recently completed Rockville Pike Pedestrian Safety Audit. The primary area of focus for the audit was from Bou Road down to Randolph Road. This was because this is where the highest numbers of pedestrian accidents have been occurring. No final decisions have been made as to the extent of the final changes but Mr. Lees did say that better lighting and signage would certainly be one area that will be upgraded.
Ms. Jenny Kimball, Assistant City Manager told us about the Rockville Neighborhood Resources (RNR) Program which exists to better connect the communities and the Rockville City government. For more information about this program: http://www.rockvillemd.gov/
Finally we heard from Mr. Philip Mclaughlin from Ride On with his update about the recent concerns about eliminating bus routes. He told us that for the time being, service cuts have been averted for the FY10 budget but that it remains to be seen what future cuts there may be when the FY11 budget comes over from the County Executive on March 15th. He also talked about the challenges from the recent snow storms.
Next meeting of the Western Montgomery Citizens’ Advisory Committee (WMCAB) is March 15th and will take place at the Glen Echo Town Hall, 6106 Harvard Avenue; Glen Echo, MD 20812. For more information: www.Bethesda.citizen@montgomerycountymd.gov
There was a very full agenda that included presentations from several different speakers including:
Chief Treschuk of the Rockville Police Department; Acting Commander John Hack, Montgomery County Police – 1st District Station who updated everyone on some of the most concerning trends in the county. Two issue areas of particular concern: the rise in the theft of GPS units from cars and the ongoing problem of daytime residential robberies in Potomac.
Mr. Hamid Omidvar from the Department of General Services updating us on the plans for the Circuit Court Annex as well as a general overview of the Government Core Facilities Master Plan Study.
Mr. Fred Lees, from the Department of Transportation, talked about the recently completed Rockville Pike Pedestrian Safety Audit. The primary area of focus for the audit was from Bou Road down to Randolph Road. This was because this is where the highest numbers of pedestrian accidents have been occurring. No final decisions have been made as to the extent of the final changes but Mr. Lees did say that better lighting and signage would certainly be one area that will be upgraded.
Ms. Jenny Kimball, Assistant City Manager told us about the Rockville Neighborhood Resources (RNR) Program which exists to better connect the communities and the Rockville City government. For more information about this program: http://www.rockvillemd.gov/
Finally we heard from Mr. Philip Mclaughlin from Ride On with his update about the recent concerns about eliminating bus routes. He told us that for the time being, service cuts have been averted for the FY10 budget but that it remains to be seen what future cuts there may be when the FY11 budget comes over from the County Executive on March 15th. He also talked about the challenges from the recent snow storms.
Next meeting of the Western Montgomery Citizens’ Advisory Committee (WMCAB) is March 15th and will take place at the Glen Echo Town Hall, 6106 Harvard Avenue; Glen Echo, MD 20812. For more information: www.Bethesda.citizen@montgomerycountymd.gov
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Trachtenberg Office Visits Montgomery County Emergency Shelters
A representative of the Trachtenberg Office visited two of Montgomery County’s emergency shelters in the aftermath of the severe winter storm that impacted the County on February 5-6, 2010. Nearly 30 inches of snow fell during the historic storm, and more than 80,000 residents lost power, at some point, during the storm.
The County had established three emergency shelters for residents: the Schweinhaut Center, 1000 Forest Glen in Silver Spring, the Longwood Center at 19300 Georgia Ave, in Brookville/Olney and Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville. Our Chief of Staff Alan Bowser visited the shelters at the Schweinhaut Center and at Richard Montgomery High School and thanked the Red Cross staff and community volunteers for their work on behalf of Councilmember Trachtenberg.
Today, the County has announced that overnight shelter operations will be consolidated at Richard Montgomery High School in order to provide a range of amenities for residents seeking shelter.
"As power is being restored to more parts of the community we want to make sure that residents seeking shelter have shower facilities, as well as other amenities," said County Executive Isiah Leggett in a statement. "We continue to monitor the need and are working with our utilities to bring power back to those affected by the outages."
Individuals planning to go to the shelter should bring all medications and personal supplies that they require. No pets are allowed at shelters except for registered service animals.
Richard Montgomery High School is located at 250 Richard Montgomery Drive in Rockville.
The County had established three emergency shelters for residents: the Schweinhaut Center, 1000 Forest Glen in Silver Spring, the Longwood Center at 19300 Georgia Ave, in Brookville/Olney and Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville. Our Chief of Staff Alan Bowser visited the shelters at the Schweinhaut Center and at Richard Montgomery High School and thanked the Red Cross staff and community volunteers for their work on behalf of Councilmember Trachtenberg.
Today, the County has announced that overnight shelter operations will be consolidated at Richard Montgomery High School in order to provide a range of amenities for residents seeking shelter.
"As power is being restored to more parts of the community we want to make sure that residents seeking shelter have shower facilities, as well as other amenities," said County Executive Isiah Leggett in a statement. "We continue to monitor the need and are working with our utilities to bring power back to those affected by the outages."
Individuals planning to go to the shelter should bring all medications and personal supplies that they require. No pets are allowed at shelters except for registered service animals.
Richard Montgomery High School is located at 250 Richard Montgomery Drive in Rockville.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Youth Town Hall Meeting a Great Success!
On Wednesday, February 3, High School and Middle School students from across the County were able to express views on a vast amount of issues and ask questions of County Council Councilmembers. Over 400 students attended the meeting at the Council Office Building in Rockville.
Some of the issues raised at the Town Hall Meeting were
The meeting was open to high school and middle school students from around the County. The meeting allowed the participants to let Councilmembers know how they feel about specific issues and also provided the opportunity to ask questions of the Councilmembers in an organized, but informal, setting.
Participants also had the opportunity to speak with Councilmembers at a reception before the meeting. Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg and her colleagues also stayed after the meeting to converse with parents and students.
The meeting was broadcasted live on County Cable Montgomery (CCM) and will rebroadcast at various times in the following weeks on Channel 6 or 30. The program was also broadcasted live on simulcast on Network partners at Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery College. Susan Kennedy, a producer for the county station, moderated the meeting.
Watch the Youth Town Hall Meeting online.
The County Council, which for the past several years has held Town Hall Meetings throughout the County in its efforts to find out what issues most concern residents, learned yesterday what is on the mind of younger residents when it hosted its first-ever Town Hall Meeting for Students. This was the first Town Hall Meeting hosted by the Council in 2010.
Some of the issues raised at the Town Hall Meeting were
- County and school budget
- Maintenance of Effort
- Jobs
- Gaithersburg West Master Plan
- Wheaton redevelopment
- White Flint Master Plan
- Health care/insurance for people under the age of 18
- School safety
- College education
- Staying and living in Montgomery County
- Magnet schools
- Environmental issues
- After school programs
- Sports Academy
- Intervention and prevention programs
- Libraries
- Places/venues for young people
- Role models
- School-based services
- And many other topics
The meeting was open to high school and middle school students from around the County. The meeting allowed the participants to let Councilmembers know how they feel about specific issues and also provided the opportunity to ask questions of the Councilmembers in an organized, but informal, setting.
Participants also had the opportunity to speak with Councilmembers at a reception before the meeting. Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg and her colleagues also stayed after the meeting to converse with parents and students.
The meeting was broadcasted live on County Cable Montgomery (CCM) and will rebroadcast at various times in the following weeks on Channel 6 or 30. The program was also broadcasted live on simulcast on Network partners at Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery College. Susan Kennedy, a producer for the county station, moderated the meeting.
Watch the Youth Town Hall Meeting online.
Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg and some of the students at the Town Hall Meeting
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Councilmember Trachtenberg Attends Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast
Councilmember Trachtenberg attended the 34th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast, held at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. The Memorial Breakfast was sponsored by the Montgomery County, Maryland Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc's.
Since its founding on December 4, 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has supplied voice and vision to the struggle of African-Americans and people of color around the world. Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African-Americans, was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York by seven college men who recognized the need for a strong bond of Brotherhood among African descendants in this country. The visionary founders, known as the “Jewels” of the Fraternity, are Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle, and Vertner Woodson Tandy.
The Fraternity initially served as a study and support group for minority students who faced racial prejudice, both educationally and socially, at Cornell. The Jewel founders and early leaders of the Fraternity succeeded in laying a firm foundation for Alpha Phi Alpha's principles of scholarship, fellowship, good character, and the uplifting of humanity. Alpha Phi Alpha chapters were established at other colleges and universities, many of them historically black institutions, soon after the founding at Cornell. The first Alumni Chapter was established in 1911. While continuing to stress academic excellence among its members, Alpha also recognized the need to help correct the educational, economic, political, and social injustices faced by African-Americans. Alpha Phi Alpha has long stood at the forefront of the African-American community's fight for civil rights through leaders such as: W.E.B. DuBois, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Edward Brooke, Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Andrew Young, William Gray, Paul Robeson, and many others. True to its form as the “first of firsts,” Alpha Phi Alpha has been interracial since 1945.
Since its founding on December 4, 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has supplied voice and vision to the struggle of African-Americans and people of color around the world. Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African-Americans, was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York by seven college men who recognized the need for a strong bond of Brotherhood among African descendants in this country. The visionary founders, known as the “Jewels” of the Fraternity, are Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle, and Vertner Woodson Tandy.
The Fraternity initially served as a study and support group for minority students who faced racial prejudice, both educationally and socially, at Cornell. The Jewel founders and early leaders of the Fraternity succeeded in laying a firm foundation for Alpha Phi Alpha's principles of scholarship, fellowship, good character, and the uplifting of humanity. Alpha Phi Alpha chapters were established at other colleges and universities, many of them historically black institutions, soon after the founding at Cornell. The first Alumni Chapter was established in 1911. While continuing to stress academic excellence among its members, Alpha also recognized the need to help correct the educational, economic, political, and social injustices faced by African-Americans. Alpha Phi Alpha has long stood at the forefront of the African-American community's fight for civil rights through leaders such as: W.E.B. DuBois, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Edward Brooke, Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Andrew Young, William Gray, Paul Robeson, and many others. True to its form as the “first of firsts,” Alpha Phi Alpha has been interracial since 1945.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Duchy Trachtenberg Champions "Community Service Day"
October 24, 2009. The Trachtenberg Office is supporting Montgomery County’s Annual Community Service Day. The Office has embraced support of the “Family Justice Center” as its Community Service Day project. It has organized the donation and collection of children’s clothes, books and other items from Montgomery County Council offices for presentation to the Family Justice Center.
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