Bill Text: GA SR477 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Day; recognize March 11
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2009-03-04 - Senate Read and Adopted [SR477 Detail]
Download: Georgia-2009-SR477-Enrolled.html
09 LC
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Senate
Resolution 477
By:
Senator Brown of the 26th
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
March 11, 2009, as Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Day at the state capitol; and
for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., was founded at Howard University on November 17,
1911, by three students, Brother Oscar J. Cooper, M.D., Brother Frank Coleman,
Ph.D., and Brother Edgar A. Love, D.D., and Brother Ernest E. Just, Ph.D., who
served as their faculty advisor; and
WHEREAS,
on December 1, 1919, Raymond G. Robinson traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, at his
own expense, to help Brother Harold Thomas establish a chapter of Omega Psi Phi
Fraternity, Inc., which was composed of professional men of selected students
from Morehouse College, Atlanta University, Clark College, and Gammon
Theological Seminary; and
WHEREAS,
the Eta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., was founded in Atlanta,
Georgia, on December 1, 1919, by Harold H. Thomas, Horace A. Hodges, Harvey
Smith, and Lawrence R. Harper with the aid of Raymond G. Robinson, the
Fraternity's seventh Grand Basileus, and was chartered on December 27 of that
same year; and
WHEREAS,
Eta Chapter was the first chapter of any black Greek letter organization to be
founded and chartered in the State of Georgia; and
WHEREAS,
Brothers from the institutions that made up Eta Chapter eventually established
their own chapters: Omicron at Gammon Theological Seminary (1921); Psi at
Morehouse (1921); Tau at Atlanta University (1922); and Beta Psi at Clark
College (1923), leaving Eta Chapter for graduates; and
WHEREAS,
under the leadership of Grand Basileus J. Alston Atkins (1922-1923), the
Fraternity developed a new naming scheme for undergraduate and graduate chapters
and Eta Chapter was renamed Eta Omega Chapter in 1923, "The Mother Pearl of the
Seventh District" of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; and
WHEREAS,
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., has established 20 undergraduate chapters and 23
graduate chapters in Georgia; and
WHEREAS,
many members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., have distinguished themselves in
several different areas of service, to wit: Benjamin E. Mays, noted educator and
distinguished President of Morehouse College; Vernon Jordan, an internationally
distinguished attorney; Thurbert E. Baker, the first African American Attorney
General in the State of Georgia; Dr. David Satcher, 16th Surgeon General; and
Dr. Carter G. Woodson, black historian and founder of Black History Month;
and
WHEREAS,
other Brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., who served the citizens of
Georgia include Jesse Hill, the first African American appointed to the Georgia
Board of Regents; and Eldridge McMillan, the second African American appointed,
the first African American to chair, and, with his service of over 30 years,
the longest serving member of the Georgia Board of Regents; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia has produced two Grand Basilei of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Harold
Thomas and Mosses C. Norman; and three First Vice Grand Basilei, John Calhoun,
Jesse O. Thomas, and Joe Brooks; and
WHEREAS,
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity chapters have raised over $1 million for scholarships
granted to Georgia students; and
WHEREAS,
there are Brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., who serve in the Georgia
Legislature, including Brother Representative Carl Von Epps, (1966, Psi
Chapter); Brother Representative Joe Heckstall (1967, Kappa Epsilon Chapter);
Brother Representative Winfred J. Dukes (1975, Gamma Zeta Chapter); Brother
Representative Calvin Smyre (1980, Lambda Iota Chapter); and Brother
Representative Quincy Murphy (1976, Psi Omega Chapter); and
WHEREAS,
the Brother Legislators were assisted in the development of this the first
annual day of legislative recognition of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., in the
State of Georgia by Brother Dr. H. Benjamin Williams (1962, Beta Gamma Chapter);
Brother Benjamin Hill (1972, Tau Psi Chapter); Brother Jason Jackson (2001, Eta
Omega Chapter); Brother Daymetrie Williams (2003, Beta Psi Chapter); Brother
Royce Collins (2007, Lambda Phi Chapter); and Brother Kenneth English (2008, Eta
Omega Chapter) and coordinated by Brother William S. Cannon V (1972, Eta Omega
Chapter).
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and commend the cardinal principles of Manhood,
Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift endorsed by its members and their
exemplary public service.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Wednesday, March 11, 2009, is recognized as Omega Psi
Phi Fraternity, Inc. Day at the state capitol.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to transmit
appropriate copies of this resolution to State Representative James Cistrunk,
Seventh District Representative Keith Jackson, and Grand Basilius Warren Lee.
