*HR1545*
Introduced Version
HOUSE
RESOLUTION No. ___
Introduced by: Pryor, Harris, Pack, Bartlett, Jackson,
Hatcher, Porter, Shackleford, Smith V, Summers
____________________________________
1 A HOUSE RESOLUTION recognizing Phi Beta Sigma
2 Fraternity, Inc., and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
3 Whereas, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., was founded on
4 January 9, 1914, at Howard University in Washington, D.C., by
5 three young African American male students. The establishment
6 of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., is credited to the most
7 honorable A. Langston Taylor, Leonard F. Morse, and Charles
8 I. Brown;
9 Whereas, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., was founded on
10 January 16, 1920, at Howard University in Washington, D.C.,
11 by five illustrious African American women whose names were
12 Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler
13 Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, and Fannie Pettie Watts, with the
14 assistance of the most honorable A. Langston Taylor of Phi
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1 Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.;
2 Whereas, The sorority is the sister organization of the
3 fraternity, and no other fraternity and sorority known to man
4 are constitutionally bound as Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta
5 are, and they both foster a mutually supportive relationship;
6 Whereas, Phi Beta Sigma's greatest asset and source of
7 strength are its brothers. They are the main tools used to
8 accomplish the goals of the fraternity. It was crucial to
9 implement mechanisms that successfully represent the
10 fraternity's motto, "Culture for Service and Service for
11 Humanity", that encourages service, scholarship, and
12 brotherhood;
13 Whereas, The founders of Zeta Phi Beta were strong,
14 principled coeds who possessed a great deal of modesty,
15 strength of character, and pride in academic achievement, and
16 they believed that the sorority is more than an organization, it
17 was a movement;
18 Whereas, This belief system reflected, at its core, the desire
19 to provide meaningful Service, exemplify true Scholarship, set
20 a standard for Sisterly Love, and define the noble concept of
21 Finer Womanhood;
22 Whereas, One hundred ten years later, Phi Beta Sigma has
23 grown into a global leadership organization with many
24 counterparts;
25 Whereas, The fraternity has since formed the Phi Beta Sigma
26 Housing Foundation, the Phi Beta Sigma Educational
27 Foundation, the Phi Beta Sigma Federal Credit Union, the Phi
28 Beta Sigma Charitable Outreach Foundation, and the Sigma
29 Beta Club, a youth auxiliary group, to improve the quality of
30 life for others;
31 Whereas, As they embark on their 104th year of service, Zeta
32 Phi Beta's national and local programs have sustained and
33 uplifted people of color through the endowment of its National
34 Educational Foundation, the Zetas Helping Other People Excel
35 community outreach programs, and their engagement of all
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1 community members through their youth, adult, and male
2 auxiliary programs;
3 Whereas, Each local Zeta chapter in the state of Indiana has
4 given untotaled hours of voluntary service alongside their
5 auxiliaries to educate the public, improve the quality of life for
6 youth and families, provide scholarships, support organized
7 charities, and promote social and civic change legislation;
8 Whereas, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and Zeta Phi Beta
9 Sorority, Inc., are the only National Pan-Hellenic Council
10 organizations that can claim an authentic brother-sister
11 association through a constitutional bond;
12 Whereas, This constitutional bond, strengthened throughout
13 the decades, has allowed both organizations to work closely
14 together as they attempt to materialize what their founders
15 envisioned through a deep and abiding dedication to enhancing
16 and promoting systematic fellowship, civic engagement, justice,
17 equal rights, and service to all humankind; and
18 Whereas, It is important to acknowledge and recognize the
19 efforts and unwavering dedication of the brothers of Phi Beta
20 Sigma and sisters of Zeta Phi Beta, as they continue to uplift
21 their communities and provide proactive services to create an
22 equitable world where all people can thrive: Therefore,
23 Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the
24 General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
25 SECTION 1. That the Indiana House of Representatives
26 bestows great gratitude upon the members of Phi Beta Sigma
27 Fraternity, Inc., and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., for their
28 unwavering commitment to public advocacy.
29 SECTION 2. That the Principal Clerk of the House of
30 Representatives shall transmit copies of this resolution to State
31 Representative Cherrish Pryor for distribution.
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