Bill Text: MS SC521 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Recognize January 13 as Founders Day for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority public service organization.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 14-1)
Status: (Passed) 2020-02-21 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC521 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2020-SC521-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jackson (11th), Simmons (13th), Turner-Ford, Blackmon, Frazier, Jordan, Barnett, Jackson (32nd), Thomas, Norwood, Butler, Witherspoon, Horhn
Senate Concurrent Resolution 521
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING JANUARY 13 ANNUALLY AS FOUNDERS DAY FOR DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC., PUBLIC SERVICE ORGANIZATION.
WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta was founded on January 13, 1913, by 22 collegiate women at Howard University. These students wanted to use their collective strength to promote academic excellence and to provide assistance to those in need. In March 1913, the Founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., performed their first public act. They participated in the Women's Suffrage March in Washington, D.C. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was incorporated in 1930; and
WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is a private, not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world. Since its founding, more than 200,000 women have joined the organization. The organization is a sisterhood of predominantly African American, college educated women. The sorority currently has 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters located in the United States, Canada, Japan (Tokyo and Okinawa), Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica and the Republic of Korea; and
WHEREAS, since its founding in 1913, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., has clearly distinguished itself as a public service organization that boldly confronts the challenges of African Americans and, hence, all Americans. Over the years, a wide range of programs addressing education, health, international development and strengthening of the African American family have evolved in realizing its mission. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., provides an extensive array of public service initiatives through its Five-Point Programmatic Thrust of: Educational Development, Economic Development, International Awareness and Involvement, and Physical and Mental Health; and
WHEREAS, in the fall of 1973, members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., from Clarksdale and Marks, Mississippi, met to discuss forming a local chapter within the Delta area. On September 22, 1973, Clarksdale-Marks Alumnae Chapter was chartered. Under the extremely capable leadership of Josephine Rhymes, and with the cooperation of the entire membership, the chapter became a driving force in the community; and
WHEREAS, since its inception, the Clarksdale-Marks Alumnae Chapter has been a dominating force within the area known as the Delta. Notable public service projects included Voter Registration Drives, Adopt a Highway, Habitat for Humanity, partnerships with area nursing homes and volunteer hours at the local Care Station. The chapter also sponsors summer athletic programs for young children as well as summer camps. The sorority has sponsored scholarships at Coahoma Community College, and all area high schools in Coahoma, Quitman, Tunica and Tallahatchie Counties. Other programs include teen theaters, Breakfast with Santa, ACT workshops, Mental Health Dramatic Productions, Mill Jabberwork, HIV/AIDS Awareness, Relay for Life, Breast Cancer Awareness and many other projects that benefit communities and surrounding areas. Today, the chapter has grown to 91 members that collectively work to improve communities. Signature programs include: Red Hat Brunch, HIV/AIDS Awareness, Rock the Red, Jabberwork, EMBODI, Trunk or Treat, Breakfast with Santa, Street Strut, Relay for Life, Grand Seniors and Jeans for Justice. Clarksdale-Marks Alumnae Chapter was one of the first African American Greek letter organizations in the Clarksdale area. The chapter has won a Regional Award to include May Week Honors (Regional Conference 2018) and Chapter Centennial Award (2013). The chapter has received the Red Ribbon Award for the last four years. Clarksdale-Marks has received recognition for raising the most money for Relay for Life for the last ten years; and
WHEREAS, we commend Delta Sigma Theta's record of achievement and legacy of leadership and dedication to all in Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize January 13 annually as Founders Day for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Public Service Organization, and commend the outstanding service programs of the Clarksdale-Marks Alumnae Chapter.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Clarksdale-Marks Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., forwarded to the national headquarters of Delta Sigma Theta, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
