By McClendon                                           H.R. No. 505
         76R10020 BE-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, On March 31, 1999, the Texas House of
 1-2     Representatives will join with the members of Delta Sigma Theta
 1-3     Sorority, Inc., 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 200,000 members internationally, and it has become one of the
1-10     world's leading sororities for African-American women; its
1-11     hardworking 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 and  economic
1-16     development, physical and mental health, political awareness and
1-17     action, and international insight and involvement, both in their
1-18     local communities and on a global scale; and
1-19           WHEREAS, To accomplish its lofty goals, the sorority has
1-20     initiated a number of innovative and highly successful programs
1-21     addressing illiteracy, drug abuse, unemployment, gang violence,
1-22     homelessness, teen pregnancy, infant mortality, clinical
1-23     depression, diabetes, and AIDS; sorority members, including mayors,
1-24     legislators, university presidents, and United States presidential
 2-1     appointees, currently take active roles in shaping education and
 2-2     health policy in our state and nation; and
 2-3           WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority stands at the forefront
 2-4     of Texas' community service organizations, and it gives the members
 2-5     of this chamber great pleasure to recognize this group for its
 2-6     exceptional work in behalf of others; now, therefore, be it
 2-7           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
 2-8     Legislature hereby recognize March 31, 1999, as Delta Day at the
 2-9     State Capitol in honor of the members and officers of Delta Sigma
2-10     Theta Sorority, Inc.; and, be it further
2-11           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-12     prepared for the members and officers of this distinguished
2-13     organization as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of
2-14     Representatives.