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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Collegiate and alumnae members of Delta Sigma Theta |
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Sorority are gathering in Austin on April 17, 2023, to mark Red and |
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White Day, a day of advocacy and action, at the State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded on January |
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13, 1913, at Howard University in Washington, D.C.; the 22 original |
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members included four young women from Texas, Zephyr Chisom Carter, |
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Jessie McGuire Dent, Frederica Chase Dodd, and Myra Davis Hemmings, |
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all committed to academic excellence and social change; members |
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marched in a women's suffrage parade soon after, and they |
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incorporated as a national organization in 1930; and |
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WHEREAS, The organization, which is proudly marking the 110th |
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anniversary of its founding in 2023, is made up of more than 350,000 |
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women in the United States and several foreign countries; it |
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encompasses over 1,000 chapters, with many in the Lone Star State; |
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participants work toward positive change in their communities, |
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placing a strong emphasis on the core issues of economic |
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development, educational development, international awareness, |
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political awareness, and physical and mental health; moreover, |
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Delta Sigma Theta members mentor at-risk young women, conduct voter |
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awareness drives, host political forums, and help guide and inform |
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public policy; and |
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WHEREAS, Many members of the sorority have gone on to have |
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distinguished careers in public service, including Texas State |
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Representatives Toni Rose and Rhetta Andrews Bowers, as well as |
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legendary former legislators, such as State Representative Ruth |
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Jones McClendon and Congresswoman Barbara Jordan; among the Texans |
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who have held significant leadership positions within the |
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organization is the sorority's current national president, Elsie |
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Cooke-Holmes, who resides in Plano; and |
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WHEREAS, The women of Delta Sigma Theta have enriched the |
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State of Texas and the entire nation though their advocacy and civic |
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engagement, and it is indeed a pleasure to commend them for their |
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noteworthy endeavors; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize April 17, 2023, as Red and White Day at |
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the State Capitol and extend to all those involved with Delta Sigma |
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Theta Sorority sincere best wishes as they celebrate the |
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organization's 110th anniversary; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the sorority as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |