5th oldest U.S. senator, Alpha Frater Edward Brooke turns 90 today

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It is not everyday that you turn 90 years old. But, that’s exactly what former U.S. Sen. Edward M. Brooke, (R-Mass.) is doing today, October 26.

Brooke, the first African-American senator elected to Congress by popular vote, is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the world’s oldest intercollegiate Greek-lettered organization of African Americans. The men who make up the historic fraternal organization paused today to honor Brooke’s milestone.

“Our fraternity was barely 14 years old when Brother Brooke was born,” said Herman “Skip” Mason Jr., (national) general president of the fraternity. “On behalf of all the members of Alpha Phi Alpha, we salute him and wish him the very best birthday ever.”

Not only are his Alpha brothers honoring Brooke but he is to receive a special gift Wednesday, Oct. 29, from Congress. Brooke will be awarded the much-deserved Congressional Gold Medal. The medal is bestowed by an official act of Congress and is–along with the Presidential Medal of Freedom–the highest civilian award in the United States.

Brooke was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Saturday, December 4, 1937, at Beta Chapter, at Howard University. While a member of the Senate, he was a leading advocate against discrimination in housing and coauthored the 1968 Fair Housing Act. In 1996, he became the first chairman of the World Policy Council, the fraternity’s “think tank.” In 2004, Brooke was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush.

“From the White House to Capitol Hill, and across the country, Brother Brooke is clearly seen as one of our greatest living treasures—not only in Alpha Phi Alpha, but in all of America,” Mason said.

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