LEGAL FORUM Continued from Page 9 revolve around issues identified during Brother Davis' comprehensive review of Alpha's legal status. The Davis impact has been so great that it's difficult to believe that his service began only four years ago, when "risk management" was virtually a foreign concept to the rank-and-file Brotherhood. More than the mere establishment of a formal risk management program, the Davis era ushered in a new consciousness about the heavy responsibility we assume when we undertake to manage an international institution in a volunteer fashion. That realization is now clearly present, if not always heeded by every single Brother. The adoption of "The Standing Orders" to govern pledging was the result of a protracted multiyear struggle at successive General Conventions to attain legislation. In contrast, the Risk Management Program was drafted and adopted at a single convention by an overwhelming margin — thanks largely to the case made to the Brotherhood by the General Counsel. The registration of our trademark symbols, the drafting of a licensing program for fraternity paraphernalia, securing tax-deductible status for contributions to the National Headquarters campaign and an extensive membership education program on legal matters are other hallmarks of Brother Davis' tenure. Moreover, the several potentially damaging lawsuits pending against the Fraternity were all resolved without marked damage to the name or fiscal status of the organization. In short, Brother Davis was able to mobilize the Brotherhood and let the world know that Alpha Phi Alpha is serious about dealing with the issues which confront it.
Four years ago, "risk management" was virtually a foreign concept to the rank and file brotherhood. A native of Tuskegee, Alabama, Brother Davis graduated with honors from Tuskegee Institute High School in 1967. He received the Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Tuskegee Institute in 1971; and, in 1974, received the Juris Doctor degree from the University of Iowa. He is Page 12
licensed to practice law in all federal and state courts in the states of Iowa and Alabama; in the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit and Eleventh Circuit; and is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. Brother Davis is a former Assistant Attorney General for the State of Alabama. In that position, he gained national acclaim for researching and writing opinions which led to the pardon of Clarence Norris — the last survivor of the tragic Scottsboro Boys. Norris among nine young Blacks convicted and sentenced to death for the alleged rape of two young white women. The flimsy nature of the evidence against the young men was evident early, causing the Governor of Alabama to pardon four of the nine in 1938 (seven years after the trial). Norris received no pardon, although his death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. Fifteen years in prison, a parole, a parole violation, imprisonment again, and escape — ultimately to New York — preceded Norris' bid for official freedom in 1975. After the NAACP was stymied in efforts to help Norris, Brother Davis put the case before Alabama Attorney General Bill Baxley and shepherded the case to a successful conclusion. Brother Davis is now engaged in the general practice of law in his hometown of Tuskegee. In a 1977 article in The Sphinx, the young attorney stated, "This is where it all started. This is home . . . a black community with resources . . . a place where you can develop your potential." He has been appointed Chairman of the newly created Commission on Racial Justice by General President Henry Ponder — a fitting use of his obvious talents after four years of internal housekeeping within the Bond. A Major in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, Brother Davis is married to Dr. Myrtle Goode Davis — a family practitioner and Director of the Lister Hill Medical Center. They are the p a r e n t s of two s o n s : M i l t o n Christopher, age 9; and Warren Allen, age 7. We are certain that much more will be written about Brother Milton C. Davis in the years to come. At this juncture, all of the Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha echo the sentiments expressed by the Board of Directors in January 1989 when it accepted his final report "with grateful appreciation for a job very well done!"
Eta Gamma Continued from Page 11 along with "Chapter of the Year." This past year at the Texas Convention, Eta Gamma went not only to win, but to set the foundation for the struggle to win National Chapter of the Year. Awards won during the convention include: W.E.B. Dubois Academic Award, College Chapter with the highest GPA, Henry Arthur Callis Academic Award, College Brother with the highest GPA, Darryl Harris; Outstanding Brother of the Year Award, Eric Dargan; Oratorical Contest, Kevin Enders; Second place in basketball and step contest. During the Southwestern Regional Convention, Eta Gamma captured the title of Regional Chapter of the Year. Eta Gamma last won Regional Chapter of the Year in 1982 and also won National Chapter of the Year that same year. Another victory was won by Brother Eric Dargan as Outstanding College Brother of the Year for the Southwestern Region. Brother Dargan also was elected to serve as Assistant Regional Vice-President. 1988 was the year that history repeated itself as Eta Gamma upheld the light of Alpha and captured the National Chapter of the Year Award for 1988-89. Eta Gamma dedicated its services and honors to the memory of Brother Joseph Winston, Fall '85, who entered the Omega Chapter in November 1987. For the school year 1988-89, the Brothers of Eta Gamma continued to uphold the light of Alpha by capturing the 1989 Chapter of the Year Awad for the Texas Council of Alpha Chapters. Individual Awards include: Brother of the Year and first place in Oratorical Contest, Brother Kevin Enders; and Brother with the highest GPA, Brother Duane Jubert. Outstanding accomplishments of Brothers on the college level include: Brother Kevin Enders, Engineer of the Year Award for Prairie View A&M University, GEM fellowship recipient; Brother Gregory Edison, Battalion Commander, Army ROTC; Brother Darryl Harris, Battalion Commander, Naval ROTC; and Brother Kevin Jefferson, President, Beta Beta Biological Honor Society. Eta Gamma has a service, scholarship, and doubtless the chapter will make legacy.
proven record of and leadership, Brothers of the this an ongoing
The Sphinx/Spring 1989