By Wilson                                       H.C.R. No. 37

      75R4112 SAJ-D                           

                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, On March 4 and 5, 1997, the Texas Legislature will

 1-2     join with the members of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,

 1-3     Incorporated, in honoring one of the Lone Star State's most

 1-4     renowned community service organizations; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, The sorority was founded in 1913 by 22 women at

 1-6     Howard University for the dual purpose of promoting scholastic

 1-7     achievement and aiding members of the local community; and

 1-8           WHEREAS, Today the organization has more than 700 chapters

 1-9     and 175,000 members internationally, and it has become one of the

1-10     world's leading sororities for African-American women; its

1-11     hard-working members have dedicated themselves to enhancing the

1-12     lives of others through their involvement in a number of health and

1-13     human services concerns; and

1-14           WHEREAS, The sisters of Delta Sigma Theta have been involved

1-15     in many diverse endeavors that promote educational development,

1-16     economic development, physical and mental health, political

1-17     awareness and involvement, and international awareness and

1-18     involvement, both in their local communities and on a global scale;

1-19     and

1-20           WHEREAS, To accomplish its lofty goals, the sorority has

1-21     initiated a number of innovative and highly successful programs

1-22     addressing illiteracy, drug abuse, unemployment, gang violence,

1-23     teen pregnancy, infant mortality, kidney disease, and AIDS;

1-24     sorority members, including mayors, legislators, university

 2-1     presidents, and United States presidential appointees, currently

 2-2     take an active role in shaping education and health policy in our

 2-3     state and nation; and

 2-4           WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority stands at the forefront

 2-5     of Texas' community service organizations, and it gives the

 2-6     legislature great pleasure to recognize this group for its

 2-7     exceptional work in behalf of others; now, therefore, be it

 2-8           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

 2-9     hereby designate March 4 and 5, 1997, as Delta Days at the State

2-10     Capitol in honor of the members and officers of Delta Sigma Theta

2-11     Sorority, Incorporated; and, be it further

2-12           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-13     prepared for the members and officers of this distinguished

2-14     organization as an expression of high esteem by the Texas House of

2-15     Representatives and Senate.