| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Collegiate and alumnae members of Delta Sigma Theta |
|
|
Sorority, Inc., are gathering together in locations across North |
|
|
Texas February 21-24, 2013, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of |
|
|
their organization's founding; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta was established on January 13, |
|
|
1913, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., by 22 |
|
|
charter members, who aimed to promote academic excellence and |
|
|
community service; the group's first public action, undertaken that |
|
|
same year, was to participate in a march for women's suffrage in |
|
|
Washington; incorporated in 1930, the sorority today has more than |
|
|
250,000 members in approximately 1,000 chapters across the United |
|
|
States, England, Japan, Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the |
|
|
Bahamas, and South Korea; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Among Delta's founders were four women born in |
|
|
Texas, Zephyr Chisom Carter of El Paso, Jessie McGuire Dent of |
|
|
Galveston, Frederica Chase Dodd of Dallas, and Myra Davis Hemmings |
|
|
of Gonzales, and the sorority maintains a strong connection with |
|
|
the Lone Star State today, with 62 Texas chapters; as Delta |
|
|
celebrates its centennial this year, several chapters in the state |
|
|
are concurrently marking 25 and 50 years of service; in addition, |
|
|
Dallas has been singled out as one of 22 cities important to the |
|
|
history of the sorority, and it is consequently hosting the passing |
|
|
of the Delta Torch, which is crossing the nation as part of the |
|
|
centennial observance; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Throughout Texas, alumnae and collegiate chapters |
|
|
promote Delta's "Five Point Thrust" program by supporting economic |
|
|
development, international awareness, political involvement, and |
|
|
physical and mental health and educational initiatives; among their |
|
|
wide-ranging endeavors, chapters mentor at-risk African American |
|
|
girls ages 11 through 14, participate in get-out-the-vote drives, |
|
|
host forums for political candidates, and encourage member |
|
|
involvement in public policy-making at all levels of government; |
|
|
and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta has immeasurably enriched the |
|
|
lives of its members and has contributed to the greater good of |
|
|
communities across Texas, just as its founders envisioned a century |
|
|
ago; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby recognize February 21-24, 2013, as Delta Sigma |
|
|
Theta Sorority, Inc., Days in Texas on the occasion of the |
|
|
organization's 100th anniversary and extend to its members sincere |
|
|
best wishes for successful and memorable celebrations; and, be it |
|
|
further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
|
prepared for Delta Sigma Theta as an expression of high regard by |
|
|
the Texas House of Representatives. |