88R23411 BK-D
By: Rose H.R. No. 1091
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Collegiate and alumnae members of Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority are gathering in Austin on April 17, 2023, to mark Red and
White Day, a day of advocacy and action, at the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded on January
13, 1913, at Howard University in Washington, D.C.; the 22 original
members included four young women from Texas, Zephyr Chisom Carter,
Jessie McGuire Dent, Frederica Chase Dodd, and Myra Davis Hemmings,
all committed to academic excellence and social change; members
marched in a women's suffrage parade soon after, and they
incorporated as a national organization in 1930; and
WHEREAS, The organization, which is proudly marking the 110th
anniversary of its founding in 2023, is made up of more than 350,000
women in the United States and several foreign countries; it
encompasses over 1,000 chapters, with many in the Lone Star State;
participants work toward positive change in their communities,
placing a strong emphasis on the core issues of economic
development, educational development, international awareness,
political awareness, and physical and mental health; moreover,
Delta Sigma Theta members mentor at-risk young women, conduct voter
awareness drives, host political forums, and help guide and inform
public policy; and
WHEREAS, Many members of the sorority have gone on to have
distinguished careers in public service, including Texas State
Representatives Toni Rose and Rhetta Andrews Bowers, as well as
legendary former legislators, such as State Representative Ruth
Jones McClendon and Congresswoman Barbara Jordan; among the Texans
who have held significant leadership positions within the
organization is the sorority's current national president, Elsie
Cooke-Holmes, who resides in Plano; and
WHEREAS, The women of Delta Sigma Theta have enriched the
State of Texas and the entire nation though their advocacy and civic
engagement, and it is indeed a pleasure to commend them for their
noteworthy endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize April 17, 2023, as Red and White Day at
the State Capitol and extend to all those involved with Delta Sigma
Theta Sorority sincere best wishes as they celebrate the
organization's 110th anniversary; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the sorority as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.