THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY WILLIAMS, MAY 4, 2010

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MAY 4, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for its efforts

relating to the 2010 United States Census.

WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded January 13,

1913, by 22 collegiate women at Howard University who wanted to

use their collective strength to promote academic excellence and

provide assistance to persons in need; and

WHEREAS, The first public act performed by the Delta Founders

involved their participation in the Women's Suffrage March in

Washington, DC, in March 1913; and

WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta is a private, nonprofit

organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support

through established programs in local communities throughout the

world; and

WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta has initiated more than 200,000

predominantly black, college-educated women and currently has

more than 950 chapters located in the United States, England,

Japan (Tokyo and Okinawa), Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda,

the Bahamas and the Republic of Korea; and

WHEREAS, Within Pennsylvania, there are 11 alumnae chapters:

Allentown Alumnae, Chester Alumnae, Erie Alumnae, Harrisburg

Alumnae, Lancaster Alumnae, Philadelphia Alumnae, Pittsburgh

Alumnae, Quaker City Alumnae, State College/Bellefonte Alumnae,

Valley Forge Alumnae and York Alumnae. The largest chapters

throughout this Commonwealth are Philadelphia Alumnae,

Pittsburgh Alumnae, Quaker City Alumnae, Valley Forge Alumnae,

Harrisburg Alumnae and Chester Alumnae; and

WHEREAS, Within Pennsylvania there are 18 collegiate

chapters: Delta Tau (Cheyney University), Epsilon Delta (Temple

University), Epsilon Gamma (The Pennsylvania State University),

Epsilon Phi (City-Wide Chapter), Gamma (University of

Pennsylvania), Lambda Gamma (Millersville University), Mu

(University of Pittsburgh), Nu Nu (Shippensburg University), Rho

Alpha (West Chester University), Rho Iota (Bloomsburg

University), Rho Omicron (Slippery Rock University), Rho Phi,

Rho Pi (Edinboro University), Tau Beta (Indiana University),

Theta (Duquesne University), Theta Beta (City-Wide Chapter),

Upsilon Delta (Dickinson University) and Zeta Omega (Lincoln

University); and

WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta is committed to providing

leadership and increasing the participation of citizens in the

Census 2010, through its partnership with the United States

Census Bureau; and

WHEREAS, The sorority initiated the phrase, "Don't be Counted

Out" as a subtheme, which was used by chapters throughout the

country in their Census-related initiatives; and

WHEREAS, The work of eight of Delta Sigma Theta's chapters,

located in the western, northwestern, central and southeastern

regions of Pennsylvania, demonstrates how the importance of the

Census was emphasized by local chapters. Coordinating and

participating in activities that included rallies, meetings and

presentations, the chapters provided information and distributed

Census facts and promotional items to "hard-to-reach"

populations of African Americans, Hispanics and college

students, as they encouraged participation; and

WHEREAS, Collectively, the eight chapters reached more than

7,900 citizens and residents in Pennsylvania regarding the 2010

United States Census; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the Delta Sigma Theta

Sorority for its efforts relating to the 2010 United States

Census; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is encouraged

to continue its participation in the 2010 United States Census.