HR1159 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1159 LRB098 21569 GRL 60260 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity on the occasion of the organization's 100th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C. on January 9, 1914 by 3 young African-American male students; the Founders, the Honorable A. Langston Taylor, the Honorable Leonard F. Morse, and the Honorable Charles I. Brown, wanted to organize a Greek letter fraternity that would truly exemplify the ideals of brotherhood, scholarship, and service and that viewed itself as a part of the general community rather than apart from the general community; and

WHEREAS, From its inception, the Founders of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity also conceived the organization as a mechanism to deliver services to the general community; rather than gaining skills to be utilized exclusively for themselves and their immediate families, they held a deep conviction that they should return their newly acquired skills to the communities from which they had come; this deep conviction was mirrored in the Fraternity's motto, "Culture For Service and Service For Humanity"; and

WHEREAS, Members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity have been instrumental in the establishment of the Phi Beta Sigma National Foundation, the Phi Beta Sigma Federal Credit Union, and the Sigma Beta Club Foundation; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, founded in 1920 with the assistance of Phi Beta Sigma, is the sister organization of the Fraternity; and

WHEREAS, In furtherance of its goals, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity seeks to strengthen and proactively serve the brotherhood as a supportive resource that positively impacts the Fraternity's growth and financial solvency; reaffirm and maintain a strong commitment to brotherhood, scholarship, and service; ensure that Fraternity programs are focused and committed to serving humanity; create an environment that respects the dignity and worth of each brother; exhibit integrity and ethical behavior in conducting the Fraternity's business and serve as a model for all Greek-letter organizations; maintain and improve the Fraternity's technological literacy in order to better service its members and the community at large; foster and nurture its constitutional bond with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; encourage a closer and mutually beneficial working relationship with fellow Greek-letter organizations, other community service organizations, businesses, and governments; and select leaders who are committed and have demonstrated their ability to lead; and

WHEREAS, Today, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity has blossomed into an international organization of leaders; its members serve as models of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity on the occasion of the organization's 100th anniversary and wish them continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity as a symbol of our esteem and respect.