ENROLLED
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 72
BY REPRESENTATIVES CARPENTER, HALL, AND JENKINS
A RESOLUTION
To recognize Tuesday, May 10, 2016, as Phi Beta Sigma Day at the state capitol.
WHEREAS, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity was founded at Howard University in
Washington, D.C., on January 9, 1914, by three young African American male students who
wanted to organize a Greek-letter fraternity that would truly exemplify the ideals of
brotherhood, scholarship, and service; and
WHEREAS, the founders deeply wished to create an organization that viewed itself
as "a part of" the general community rather than "apart from" the general community, and
conceived of Phi Beta Sigma as a mechanism to deliver services to the general community,
a deep conviction mirrored in the fraternity's motto, "Culture for service and service for
humanity"; and
WHEREAS, the objectives of Phi Beta Sigma include reaffirming and maintaining
a strong commitment to brotherhood, scholarship, and service; ensuring that the fraternity
programs are focused and committed to serving humanity; and encouraging a closer and
mutually beneficial working relationship with fellow Greek-letter organizations, other
community service organizations, businesses, and government; and
WHEREAS, today, Phi Beta Sigma has blossomed into an international organization
of leaders, and members of the fraternity have been instrumental in the establishment of Phi
Beta Sigma National Foundation, the Phi Beta Sigma Federal Credit Union, the Sigma Beta
Club Foundation, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, the sister organization of the fraternity; and
WHEREAS, various Phi Beta Sigma programs are realized through the fraternity's
overarching program, Sigma Wellness, a signature community initiative adopted at Conclave
2007; and
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WHEREAS, the organization's partnerships with the American Cancer Society,
March of Dimes, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Boy Scouts of America and
the Thurgood Marshall College Fund speak to its mission to address societal ills, including
health disparities and educational and developmental challenges for young males; and
WHEREAS, Phi Beta Sigma currently boasts a membership of over one hundred fifty
thousand college and professional men in more than six hundred chapters throughout the
United States and abroad, including twenty chapters located in the state of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Phi Beta Sigma saw fit to move its Conclave to New Orleans in 2009,
previously scheduled to be held on the east coast, with the specific objective of lending
support to the economic revitalization of a city ravaged by Hurricane Katrina and its
aftermath; and
WHEREAS, in 2009, Phi Beta Sigma committed eighty-five thousand dollars to
Habitat for Humanity to build a house in New Orleans to reestablish a family that was
displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize Tuesday, May 10, 2016, as Phi Beta Sigma
Day at the state capitol to honor Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., for its many contributions
to the state of Louisiana and the nation as a whole.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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