ENROLLED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 111
BY REPRESENTATIVE JENKINS
A RESOLUTION
To recognize Thursday, May 4, 2023, 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, as opposed to being "apart from" it, and conceived of
Phi Beta Sigma as a mechanism to deliver services to the general community; the
organization's deep conviction is mirrored in the fraternity 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 the
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 all 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; that same year, the fraternity committed $85,000 to Habitat for Humanity to build
a house in New Orleans for a family that was displaced by the storm; and
WHEREAS, Phi Beta Sigma is most deserving of recognition for its inspiring
mission to unite and serve the community.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize Thursday, May 4, 2023, as Phi Beta Sigma
Day at the state capitol and does hereby extend sincerest gratitude to the fraternity for its
many contributions to the state of Louisiana, the United States of America, and abroad.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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