HR 9109 2003
1	House Resolution
2	A resolution designating April 3, 2003, as "Omega Psi Phi
3	Day" in Florida.
4
5	WHEREAS, its name derived from the initials of the Greek
6	phrase meaning "friendship is essential to the soul," Omega Psi
7	Phi Fraternity, Inc., was founded at historically black Howard
8	University in Washington, D.C., on November 17, 1911, and
9	WHEREAS, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., an international
10	organization with more than 550 chapters in 44 states, the
11	District of Columbia, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Bahamas, the
12	Virgin Islands, and Panama, has initiated over 130,000 members,
13	and each member proudly wears the Omega Purple and Gold, and
14	WHEREAS, with cardinal principles of manhood, scholarship,
15	perseverance, and uplift, chapters of the fraternity are located
16	in communities and on college and university campuses throughout
17	the state and have made numerous contributions to the
18	educational, civic, and social lives of Florida's citizens, and
19	WHEREAS, members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in Florida
20	contribute thousands of volunteer hours implementing service
21	programs in their respective communities, and
22	WHEREAS, George H. Grace, of Miami, is the Grand Baslieus
23	of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., which also boasts among its
24	membership United States Congressman Kendrick Meek, Tallahassee
25	Mayor John Marks, and State Representatives Wilbert T. Holloway
26	and Frank Peterman, Jr., and
27	WHEREAS, additional members from the state who hold
28	National Omega leadership positions include 7th District
29	Representative Edgar Mathis, of Jacksonville, and Omega State
30	Representative Leslie Gamble, of Miami; and other notable
31	members with national recognition include Jesse Jackson, Michael
32	Jordan, Saquille O'Neal, and David Satcher, NOW, THEREFORE,
33
34	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
35	Florida:
36
37	That the House of Representatives recognizes the deep
38	commitment of the members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., to
39	their communities, expresses special appreciation for their
40	service to the State of Florida, and gladly designates April 3,
41	2003, as "Omega Psi Phi Day" in Florida.