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Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. 2
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Councilmember Zachary Parker Councilmember Robert White 6
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Councilmember Anita Bonds Councilmember Janeese Lewis George 10
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 20
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 23
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To recognize and honor Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated for 60 years of brotherhood 26
‘and service. 27
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WHEREAS, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated, an international social service 29
organization, was founded on the campus of Morgan State University in 1963, at the height of 30
the Civil Rights Movement; 31
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WHEREAS, the first undergraduate chapter of Iota Phi Theta in the District of Columbia 33
was established at the University of the District of Columbia in 1971, and received a charter as 34
the Fraternity’s eighth undergraduate chapter; 35
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WHEREAS, the second graduate chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated, was 37
established in the District of Columbia in 1970, and received a charter as the Beta Omega 38
Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated; 39
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WHEREAS, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated’s purpose is the development and 41
perpetuation of scholarship, leadership, citizenship, fidelity, and brotherhood among men; 42
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WHEREAS, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated has grown to include over 75,000 44
members and 300 chapters throughout the United States, Asia, and the Bahamas. 45
46 WHEREAS, Iota Phi Theta is the youngest amongst the group of African-American 47
social service organizations commonly referred to as the Divine Nine; 48
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WHEREAS, the Beta Omega Graduate Chapter of Iota Phi Theta established a 501c3 50
non-profit organization in the District of Columbia, Beta Omega Social Services, Incorporated, 51
in 2013; 52
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WHEREAS, Beta Omega Social Services has partnered with District entities and private 54
corporations, including the Office of Out of School Time and the Department of Human Services 55
to provide educational, nutrition, academic and career development services to citizens of the 56
District of Columbia, and to communities East of the River in particular; 57
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WHEREAS, Beta Omega Social Services provides youth programming, including 59
college scholarships, STEM education services, and mentorship in District of Columbia Public 60
and Charter Schools including Ketcham Elementary School, Drew Elementary School, Bard 61
High School, Eastern High School, Ron Brown High School, Dunbar High School, and 62
Roosevelt High School; 63
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WHEREAS, Iota Phi Theta is currently in its 23
rd
administration under the leadership and 65
programmatic agenda of international Polaris Dr. Sean Housen Sr.; 66
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WHEREAS, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc., has partnered with the Administration for 68
Community Living and the United States Department of Health and Human Services , and the 69
National Council on Aging to support access to critical vaccines for seniors and persons with 70
health impairment or health conditions through its Five Star Vaccine Program; 71
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WHEREAS, Iota Phi Theta’s Good Health Wins Campaign, a partnership with the 73
National Council of Negro Women, addresses health disparities and supports increases access to 74
vaccines and community health resources; 75
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WHEREAS, the year 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of Iota Phi Theta 77
Fraternity, Incorporated; 78
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RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 80
resolution may be cited as the “Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated 60th Anniversary 81
Recognition Resolution of 2023”. 82
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Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia congratulates Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, 84
Incorporated for 60 years of brotherhood and service, and especially recognizes the Beta 85
Omega Graduate Chapter, its non-profit subsidiary, Beta Omega Social Services, 86
Incorporated, and the various undergraduate chapters that have been active in the District 87
since 1970. 88
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Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in 90
the District of Columbia Register. 91