WHEREAS:           Founded in 1931, Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity is the oldest Latino fraternity in existence.  The history of Phi Iota Alpha Latino Fraternity is the history of all Latino college students and professionals who strive to keep their intellectual heritage alive.  Since its inception, when the legendary "Union Hispano Americana" was first organized in 1898, the fraternity has upheld its inspirational and unique ideological foundation of Pan-Americanism.  The ideology of Pan-Americanism can be summarized as the "unification of all the Latin American nations and all Latin American people."  The Fraternity has served as an “Ideological University” through the study and interpretation of Pan-Americanism inspired by the accomplishments of its Five Pillars: Simon Bolivar, Jose de San Martin, Bernardo O’Higgins, Benito Juarez and Jose Marti; and 

WHEREAS:           Phi Iota Alpha Latino Fraternity believe that the Latin American community here in the United States and in the Latin American community here in the United States and in the Latin American countries are in need of new sources of intellectual capital to identify, address and solve the difficult challenges they face.  Therefore, it is dedicated to developing in its members an awareness of the common values and traditions of the nations of Latin America and to preparing them to become active participants in the process of advancing the social and economic conditions of all Latin Americans.  While Phi Iota Alpha encourages scholarship, it also, however, guides its members to craft a new vision that moves beyond the attainment of personal and professional goals so that they may contribute to the larger good of the community through individual acts and deeds; and

WHEREAS:           Phi Iota Alpha Latino Fraternity commemorates its long history.  As the Fraternity continues to plan for the future, it is of the utmost importance to remember that its history was made by men of great vision, leadership, devotion, persistence and most importantly, commitment to the continued development of its “Raza Joven, Noble y Guerrera”; and       

WHEREAS:           Today, we are immensely proud to recognize Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. for its dedication, its professional excellence and its contributions that have enriched our City and the Latin American culture.  The Fraternity is a credit to the Latin American community and is worthy of the esteem of all New Yorkers; now, therefore

BE IT KNOWN:           That the Council of the City of New York honors

                                        phi iota alpha fraternity, inc.

                                    for their distinguished contributions to the City of New York.

                                    Signed this 26^th day of December in the year Two Thousand and Six.

____________________________

MIGUEL MARTÍNEZ

Council Member, 10th District