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Those were the days, my friend!

THE FIRST GRAND CHAPTER was held May 19--21, 1911. Besides taking care of the business, including the election of officers and the establishment of a sovereign body, it was highlighted by a three-day house party that introduced Negro students to a type of social function of the highest order. The meeting further proved an incentive for students to see a more complete education than had previously been possible. 

THE THIRD GRAND CHAPTER was held at Indianapolis, Indiana December 29-31, 1913. About 75 participants elected a full slate of officers, including a Grand Board of Directors charged with insuring a successful operation between Grand Chapter sessions.

THE FOURTH GRAND CHAPTER was held at the University of Illinois December 30-31, 1914 and January 1, 1915. The Fraternity name was changed from Kappa Alpha Nu to Kappa Alpha Psi. The first undergraduate Chapter to be established at the all-Negro school was authorized, designating the Delta of Kappa Alpha Psi at Wilberforce University.

THE FIFTH GRAND CHAPTER convened at the State University of Iowa on December 21, 1915. The Grand Polemarch emphasized Fraternity growth and resolution was passed lamenting the passing of Booker T. Washington, Founder of Tuskegee University.

THE SIXTH GRAND CHAPTER was held at Columbus, Ohio December 28-30, 1916. The business sessions were characterized by seriousness of purpose with the best interest of the whole organization as the prime objective. The feeling of brotherhood abounded, yet there was entertainment and lots of it. 

THE SEVENTH GRAND CHAPTER was held in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1917. Founder Diggs became the first Past Grand POlemarch after six years of devoted service and Irven Armstrong became the second Grand Polemarch.

THE EIGHTH GRAND CHAPTER was held in Chicago, Illinois April 17-19, 1919. Although temporarily halted by the war, the meeting convened with the purpose of assisting the return of Kappa Alpha Psi to its earlier position of distinction. It was one of the organization's most crucial conventions. 

THE NINTH GRAND CHAPTER was held April 1-3, 1920 at the Student Union of the University of Illinois. Discussions dealing with "A Fraternity Accounting System" and "Financing A Fraternity House" influenced the Fraternity's thinking concerning its own reconstruction.

THE TENTH GRAND CHAPTER was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania December 30, 1920 through January 1, 1921. The Constitution underwent extensive revision; a triple form of bookkeeping was adopted; the Kappa Alpha Psi Journal was made a monthly publication; the criteria for awarding the Laurel Wreath were discussed and legislation was adopted to divide the Fraternity into provinces. George F. David II became the third Grand Polemarch.

THE ELEVENTH GRAND CHAPTER was held December 27-30, 1921 at Cleveland, Ohio. The first Grand Polemarch medals were awarded to Diggs and Armstrong.

THE TWELFTH GRAND CHAPTER was held December 27-30, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois with over 200 delegates participating. Legislation included enforced subscriptions to the Kappa Alpha Psi Journal; a national plan for active chapter housing; and inauguration of the Guide Right as the National Service Program. W. Ellis Stewart was elected Grand Polemarch. The Office of Grand Keeper of Records and Grand Keeper of Exchequer were combined and J. Ernest Wilkins was elected to the combined offices. 

[[image - black and white photograph of John Conyers, Jr.]]
[[caption]]Brother John Conyers, Jr. Congressman First Dist. Michigan is Public Meeting Speaker[[/caption]]

Detroit Democrat. Elected in 1970 to fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives with 88% of the vote. 

At the beginning of the 92nd Congress, opposed then Majority Leader Carl Albert for the post of the Speaker of the House because Albert refused to take a position on the Mississippi Challenge. This challenge led by Conyers, was an effort in the House Democratic Caucus to strip the seniority from the five Mississippi Congressmen on the grounds that they were not Democrats but rather members of a racially exclusionary state party which is not recognized by the Democratic National Committee. The challenge failed 111-55. 

Sponsor of Full Opportunity Act which would provide $30 billion yearly for a ten year period to aid low in come Americans in the areas of jobs, housing and education. Bill also includes strong anti-discrimination and enforcement of provisions.

Sponsor of Martin Luther King Holiday Bill which would make January 15, King's birthday, a national holiday. Co-sponsor of Adequate Income Act, an income maintenance proposal providing $6,500 a year to a family of four.

Authored only amendment passed by the House which strengthened the Fair Housing section in the 1966 Civil Rights Bill. Organized three fact finding missions by Congressmen to Alabama and Mississippi to investigate violations of civil and voting rights. Toured Vietnam in Spring 1969 investigating religious and political freedoms as part of U.S. Study Team.

Member of House Judiciary Committee and Government Operations Committee.

Vice Chairman of National Board, Americans for Democratic Action; Vice-Chairman of Advisory Council, American Civil Liberties Unon; and Member of Congress for Peace Through Law. In 1967 received Rosa Parks for Civil Rights activities from the Southern Christian Leadership Congress.

As a Member of Congress has campaigned for candidates throughout the country and has spoken in Boston, New York, Cleveland, Chicago, Gary, Seattle, Los Angeles, Memphis, New Orleans, Jackson, Miami, Savannah and Charlottesville.

Author of "Politics and the  Black Revolution." Ebony, August 1969: and "To Change the Course of History," in Many Shades of Black, Wormley and Fenderson, 1969.

Legislative Activities

Sponsored or co-sponsored the following bills which have been passed into law: Medicare, Immigration Reform, Cold War G.I. Bill, Truth-in-Packaging, 18 Year Old Vote, Election of D.C. School Board, Law Enforcement Assistance Act.

In the 90th Congress, 1967-1968, sponsored the following bills: Home Rule for the District of Columbia, Comprehensive Minimum Wage, Repeal 14(b) of NLRA, Jobs-in-Housing Act, Abolish Death Penalty, Amend National School Lunch Act, Jury Discrimination Act. 

In 91st Congress, 1969-1970, sponsored or co-sponsored the following bills: Department of Peace Act, Tax Reform, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Increased Housing Appropriations, Repeal Title Army, National Living Income Program Act, Newsmen's Privilege Act, Handgun Control Act, National Health Insurance, Election Days as legal Holiday, Family Nutrition Act, Amend Voting Rights Act. 

Community Activities

Before election to congress served as Director of Education, Local 900, UAW. Executive Board Member, Detroit Branch, NAACP and Wolverine Bar Association. Advisory Council Member, Michigan Civil Liberties Union. Former General Counsel, Detroit Trade Union Leadership Council.

Presently a member of over 50 organizations including Joint Action in Community Service, Medical Committee for Human Rights, Join Hands, Multi-Culture Institute, Southern Elections Fund, Young adults for Progress, Council on Foreign Relations. Board of Trustees, Martin Luther King Memorial Center.

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