81R7215 MG-D
By: McClendon H.R. No. 421
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., are
visiting the State Capitol on March 16, 2009, and this occasion
provides a fitting opportunity to honor the organization for its
legacy of civic involvement; and
WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta was founded in January 1913 by 22
students at Howard University who were interested in promoting
academic excellence and serving their community, and their first
collective action was to participate in the Women's Suffrage March,
which was held in Washington, D.C., in March of that year; this
private, nonprofit organization went on to become incorporated in
1930, and today it has more than 200,000 members in 900 chapters in
the United States, England, Japan, Germany, the Virgin Islands,
Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the Republic of Korea; its purpose is to
provide assistance and support to communities across the world
through its established programs that focus on economic and
educational development, international awareness and involvement,
physical and mental health, and political engagement; and
WHEREAS, Although it is present on many college campuses,
Delta Sigma Theta is comprised mainly of alumni; active in their
communities, the organization's alumni remain committed to its
ideals, and they account for 76 percent of the total membership;
many of these influential citizens are educators, but they also
hold political offices, own businesses, and practice in a variety
of fields ranging from medicine to law; among the group's
distinguished alumni are two trailblazers, Shirley Chisholm and
Barbara Jordan; Ms. Chisholm was the first African American woman
to serve in the United States Congress, and in 1973, Ms. Jordan
became the first African American woman from a southern state to be
elected to the U.S. Congress; a Houston native and member of the
Texas Senate, Ms. Jordan made lasting contributions to the Lone
Star State, and she also had the distinction of being the first
woman to deliver the keynote address at the Democratic National
Convention; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its rich history, Delta Sigma Theta has
demonstrated a commitment to developing concerned citizens who work
in behalf of the greater good, and its members may indeed reflect
with pride on their organization's noteworthy tradition of
community service; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby commend Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., for
its dedicated service to the community and outstanding record of
achievements and extend to all those associated with the group
sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Delta Sigma Theta as an expression of high regard by
the Texas House of Representatives.