HLS 23RS-2226 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 111
BY REPRESENTATIVE JENKINS
SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Recognizes May 4, 2023, as Phi Beta Sigma Day at the
state capitol
1 A RESOLUTION
2To recognize Thursday, May 4, 2023, 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, as opposed to being "apart from" it, and conceived of
9Phi Beta Sigma as a mechanism to deliver services to the general community; the
10organization's deep conviction is mirrored in the fraternity motto, "Culture for service and
11service for humanity"; 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 the
19Phi Beta Sigma National Foundation, the Phi Beta Sigma Federal Credit Union, the Sigma
20Beta Club Foundation, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, the sister organization of the fraternity;
21and
Page 1 of 2 HLS 23RS-2226 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 111
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 all speak to its mission to address societal ills,
7including health disparities and educational and developmental challenges for young males;
8and
9 WHEREAS, Phi Beta Sigma currently boasts a membership of over one hundred fifty
10thousand college and professional men in more than six hundred chapters throughout the
11United States and abroad, including twenty chapters located in the state of Louisiana; and
12 WHEREAS, Phi Beta Sigma saw fit to move its Conclave to New Orleans in 2009,
13previously scheduled to be held on the east coast, with the specific objective of lending
14support to the economic revitalization of a city ravaged by Hurricane Katrina and its
15aftermath; that same year, the fraternity committed $85,000 to Habitat for Humanity to build
16a house in New Orleans for a family that was displaced by the storm; and
17 WHEREAS, Phi Beta Sigma is most deserving of recognition for its inspiring
18mission to unite and serve the community.
19 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
20Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize Thursday, May 4, 2023, as Phi Beta Sigma
21Day at the state capitol and does hereby extend sincerest gratitude to the fraternity for its
22many contributions to the state of Louisiana, the United States of America, and abroad.
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 111 Original 2023 Regular Session Jenkins
Recognizes May 4, 2023, as Phi Beta Sigma Day at the state capitol.
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