HR0179 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0179 LRB094 11423 HSS 42333 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On March, 2, 2005, the Illinois Chapters of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., are sponsoring their annual legislative visit to the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., was organized on November 12, 1922, in Indianapolis, Indiana, by seven school teachers: Mary Lou Allison Little, Dorothy Hanley Whiteside, Vivian White Marbury, Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson, Hattie Mae Dulin Redford, Bessie M. Downey Martin, and Cubena McClure; the group became an incorporated national collegiate sorority on December 30, 1929, when a charter was granted to Alpha chapter at Butler University; and

WHEREAS, From seven young teachers, Sigma Gamma Rho has become an international service organization comprised of women from every profession; Sigma Gamma Rho offers its members opportunities to develop their unique talents through leadership training and involvement in sorority activities; sorority activities provide an atmosphere where friendships and professional contacts are developed which often lead to bonds that last a lifetime; Sigma women are dedicated to helping each other; and

WHEREAS, In a time when education for African Americans was difficult to attain, the founders of Sigma Gamma Rho became educators; they believed that the self-respect, knowledge, and discipline gained through study would help individuals to recognize their duty and responsibility for their society; thus, Sigma Gamma Rho was founded on the precept of education and continues to promote and encourage high scholastic attainment; and

WHEREAS, In addition to annual scholarships awarded by local alumnae chapters, in 1984 the National Education Fund was created; the Fund was designed to insure perpetual support for its commitment to education and for research in education, health, and related fields; and

WHEREAS, Sigma Gamma Rho's commitment to service is expressed in its slogan, "Greater Service, Greater Progress."; the sorority has a proud history of offering service wherever chapters exist, including OPERATION BigBookBag, a program designed to address the needs, challenges, and issues that face school-aged children who are educationally at-risk in local homeless shelters and extended care hospitals by providing them with educational materials, equipment, and supplies; other national projects include Wee Savers, Project Reassurance, and Habitat for Humanity; Sigma Gamma Rho has built seven homes across the United States in Florida, District of Columbia, Wisconsin, California, and Texas; and

WHEREAS, The service of Sigma Gamma Rho from a global perspective includes Project Africa and Project Mwanamugimu; through active participation in programs and through networking with other organizations such as the National Council of Negro Women, Urban League, and the NAACP, Sigma's legacy of service to improve the quality of life for all mankind continues; and

WHEREAS, With over 400 chapters in the United States, Bermuda, the Virgin Islands, Bahamas, and Germany, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., is committed to improve the quality of life for its members and the society it serves; there have been several famous members of the sorority, including Hattie McDaniel, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Rev. Willie Taplin Barrow, Cheryl Broussard, U.S. Representative Corinne Brown, Jocelyn Brown, Merri Dee, Lorraine E. Hale, Cynthia Horner, Anna Maria Horsford, Brenda Joysmith, Mother Love, Brenda Pressley, April Sinclair, Victoria Rowell, Tonya Lee Williams, Emily D. Gunter, Nancy E. McCormick, Ruth V. Sims, Ruth Russel Williams, and Maysa Leak; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that in recognition of the achievements of the members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., we honor the Illinois Chapters of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., on the occasion of their annual legislative visit to the State Capitol on March 2, 2005; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., as an expression of our respect and esteem.