HLS 16RS-2299 ORIGINAL
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 72
BY REPRESENTATIVES CARPENTER, HALL, AND JENKINS
SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Recognizes Tuesday, May 10, 2016, as Phi Beta Sigma
Day at the state capitol
1 A RESOLUTION
2To recognize Tuesday, May 10, 2016, as Phi Beta Sigma Day at the state capitol.
3 WHEREAS, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity was founded at Howard University in
4Washington, D.C., on January 9, 1914, by three young African American male students who
5wanted to organize a Greek-letter fraternity that would truly exemplify the ideals of
6brotherhood, scholarship, and service; and
7 WHEREAS, the founders deeply wished to create an organization that viewed itself
8as "a part of" the general community rather than "apart from" the general community, and
9conceived of Phi Beta Sigma as a mechanism to deliver services to the general community,
10a deep conviction mirrored in the fraternity's motto, "Culture for service and service for
11humanity"; and
12 WHEREAS, the objectives of Phi Beta Sigma include reaffirming and maintaining
13a strong commitment to brotherhood, scholarship, and service; ensuring that the fraternity
14programs are focused and committed to serving humanity; and encouraging a closer and
15mutually beneficial working relationship with fellow Greek-letter organizations, other
16community service organizations, businesses, and government; and
17 WHEREAS, today, Phi Beta Sigma has blossomed into an international organization
18of leaders, and members of the fraternity have been instrumental in the establishment of Phi
19Beta Sigma National Foundation, the Phi Beta Sigma Federal Credit Union, the Sigma Beta
20Club Foundation, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, the sister organization of the fraternity; and
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HR NO. 72
1 WHEREAS, various Phi Beta Sigma programs are realized through the fraternity's
2overarching program, Sigma Wellness, a signature community initiative adopted at Conclave
32007; and
4 WHEREAS, the organization's partnerships with the American Cancer Society,
5March of Dimes, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Boy Scouts of America and
6the Thurgood Marshall College Fund speak to its mission to address societal ills, including
7health disparities and educational and developmental challenges for young males; and
8 WHEREAS, Phi Beta Sigma currently boasts a membership of over one hundred fifty
9thousand college and professional men in more than six hundred chapters throughout the
10United States and abroad, including twenty chapters located in the state of Louisiana; and
11 WHEREAS, Phi Beta Sigma saw fit to move its Conclave to New Orleans in 2009,
12previously scheduled to be held on the east coast, with the specific objective of lending
13support to the economic revitalization of a city ravaged by Hurricane Katrina and its
14aftermath; and
15 WHEREAS, in 2009, Phi Beta Sigma committed eighty-five thousand dollars to
16Habitat for Humanity to build a house in New Orleans to reestablish a family that was
17displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
18 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
19Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize Tuesday, May 10, 2016, as Phi Beta Sigma
20Day at the state capitol to honor Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., for its many contributions
21to the state of Louisiana and the nation as a whole.
22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
23to Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 72 Original 2016 Regular Session Carpenter
Recognizes Tuesday, May 10, 2016, as Phi Beta Sigma Day at the state capitol.
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