HR0149 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0149 LRB104 12414 LAW 22696 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the Waukegan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. on the occasion of its 45th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, On November 3, 1979, the Waukegan Alumnae Chapter became an official chartered chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. through the efforts of 18 women, many with young families, who worked tirelessly to form a chapter in Lake County in the 1970s; and

WHEREAS, Upon becoming chartered, the members of the Waukegan Alumnae Chapter immediately established its organizational structure by electing officers, with the first duly elected president being Freida Arrington, now Freida Roberts, in addition to establishing committees, setting dues, and more; and

WHEREAS, Further, the members of the Waukegan Alumnae Chapter started fulfilling the critical functions of the sorority, including public service and social action initiatives, such as scholarships, voter education/registration events, public forums, health fairs, children's projects, and the Beautillion Militaire program and the Rites of Passage event for young men; and

WHEREAS, The Waukegan Alumnae Chapter has continued its work in the community through a number of endeavors, including feeding the unhoused, conducting voter education/registration, supporting women in transition, awarding college scholarships, and implementing youth programs for boys and girls through EMBODI, the Delta Academy, and Delta GEMS; and

WHEREAS, The Waukegan Alumnae Chapter has annually hosted its signature event, The Red, Black and Green function, since 1994, through which members raise money for community outreach and scholarship programs while simultaneously celebrating the beautiful and vibrant culture of the African American community; and

WHEREAS, The Waukegan Alumnae Chapter has hosted two statewide Founders Day weekends, bringing members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. together from across the State of Illinois to commemorate the sorority's founding on January 13, 1913; and

WHEREAS, The Waukegan Alumnae Chapter has also annually joined sorority members from other chapters to engage with elected officials on Delta Days at the State Capitol in Springfield and Delta Days at the Nation's Capitol in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, The members of the Waukegan Alumnae Chapter, who wear crimson and cream, have served Lake County with dedication, enthusiasm, and perseverance for 45 years and will continue to do so; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Waukegan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. on the occasion of its 45th anniversary, and we thank its members for their service and dedication to Lake County and the State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Waukegan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. as an expression of our esteem and respect.