MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Turner-Ford
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE MEMBERSHIP OF DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY ON THE OCCASION OF MISSISSIPPI DELTA DAYS AT THE CAPITOL IN 2020.
WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is a national, nonprofit and nonpartisan sisterhood and public service organization that has stood the test of time, celebrating their 107-year anniversary this year, and is represented by over 1,000 chapters throughout the United States, England, Japan, Germany, the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas and the Republic of Korea, including numerous chapters within the State of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, on February 2 and 3, 2020, the Clinton, Madison County and Jackson Alumnae Chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., along with Jackson Association and Development Enterprise, Inc. (JADE), are hosting the 2020 Delta Days at the Capitol to educate and stimulate its members regarding public policy and advocacy, marking more than two decades of social action spawned by the sorority to remain politically engaged and adept of policy implementation in the State of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, a 501(c)(3) organization actively engaged in causes to impact the communities of its members through political engagement and social reform, the members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., gather annually to advocate for those issues held in foremost importance on its platform during its Delta Days at the State Capitol program; and
WHEREAS, Mississippi 2020 Delta Days at the Capitol is a time for members to engage with elected officials and promote awareness for important legislative issues impacting the community of Delta Sigma Theta sisters under the umbrella of this year's focus, and working towards fully funded education, pay equity, and a more informed, engaged electoral base; and
WHEREAS, during these Delta Days of outstanding opportunity, nearly 150 participants are expected to engage in workshops and sessions lead by experts in the areas of education, funding, support for all children to succeed, and the collaborations that serve to impact them positively for the children and families of the State of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, this year marks the 56th National Conference, a time that is designated to allow Deltas from around the world to converge in assembly in order to engage in the interactive workshops to attain a new perspective of sisterhood and gain knowledge to become game changers in society; and
WHEREAS, mobilized to represent more than 3,000 members from 34 chapters across the state, the ladies from the Alumnae Chapters of Alcorn County, Bolivar County, Clarksdale-Marks, Clay County, Clinton, Greenville, Greenwood-Itta Bena, Hattiesburg, Jackson, Madison, Meridian, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Moss Point, Natchez, Pike County, Vicksburg and Yazoo City, along with the young ladies from the colleges of Alcorn State University, Mississippi State University, Rust College, the University of Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi will convene in Jackson, Mississippi, to continue the legacy of Mississippi Delta Days at the Capitol; and
WHEREAS, public service and social change have been synonymous with this organization since its founding in 1913, and sparked a movement that has shown growth of more than 300,000 members nationwide through policy platforms such as: expanding voter engagement by supporting legislation that does not restrict access to the ballot box; equity in pay; prioritized funding for Mississippi's public educational system; and the monitoring of firearms and ammunition purchases; and
WHEREAS, in keeping with tradition established in 1989, when the National Social Action Commission instituted Delta Days in the nation's Capitol, state chapters have endeavored to replicate the model to maintain the banner and uphold the mantle of answering the call to civic, social and political activism instituted on the national level some 30 years ago, as a mechanism to increase members' involvement in the local and statewide public policymaking process; and
WHEREAS, we commend Delta Sigma Theta's record of achievement and legacy of leadership and dedication to improve communities throughout Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the Mississippi Chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., for its commitment to educate and improve communities throughout the State of Mississippi.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to the Mississippi Chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., on the occasion of Mississippi Delta Days at the Capitol in 2020, and made available to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.