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ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY Sheraton-Shrader Hotel Milwaukee, Wisconsin July 31-August 5, 1971 [[image - black and white photograph of BRO. HAROLD R. SIMS]] [[caption]] BRO. HAROLD RUDOLPH SIMS Acting Executive Director National Urban League [[/caption]] BRO. HAROLD R. SIMS was born on July 25, 1935, in Memphis, Tennessee. He graduated from Southern University with a B.A. in Political Science in 1957, and pursued graduate study at Johns Hopkins University from 1961 to 1962, in Political Science. Following this, he was an exchange student at the University of Poona, in Poona, India, studying International Relations and won an Asia Lecturer and Fellow of the International Committee of the U.S. National Student Association. In 1968, Mr. Sims received his Master's Degree from George Washington University in Government and Public Administration. During 1969, he attended Yale University, where he received a certificate as an Urban Fellow. He has been awarded many certificates and diplomas during his military service in the U.S. Army (1957-1967), where he attained the rank of Major. Mr. Sims was the first Black officer to be assigned as Secretary to the General Staff. Mr. Sims' honors, awards and decorations include: Cum Laude from Southern University, 1957; "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities", 1956; WUS Scholarship to India, 1956. Mr. Sims currently holds offices and memberships in many national organizations and associations. Among these are: American Society of Public Administration; Society for Personnel Administration; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; American Academy of Political and Social Science; American Society of African Culture; and National Advisory Committee, Citizens for Justice with Order. He has also served on several national and regional commissions. Mr. Sims is the author of several articles and publications written about the military and about Black experiences in America. Prior to joining the Urban League, he was Executive Secretary, Office of Economic Opportunity, Washington, D.C., from 1967 to 1969. In December, 1969, Mr. Sims toured Vietnam, as a follow-up of two previous trips taken by Mr. Whitney M. Young, Executive Director of the National Urban League, to serve two purposes: The first was an attempt to study race relations—the Black man in the military. Secondly, to promote a major program at encouraging Black military personnel to take advantage of G.I. Benefits after discharge, to help further their education. Mr. Sims is married to the former Joyce Lana Taylor and currently resides in Bayside, New York.