Florida Senate - 2016 (NP) SR 1610 By Senators Joyner and Gibson 19-01848B-16 20161610__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution acknowledging the remarkable 3 contributions made to the people of this state by 4 Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and recognizing 5 January 24-26, 2016, as the 22nd annual “Delta Days at 6 the Capitol.” 7 8 WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is a public 9 service organization founded on January 13, 1913, by 22 10 illustrious collegiate African-American women at Howard 11 University in Washington, D.C., and 12 WHEREAS, only 6 weeks after its founding, Delta Sigma Theta 13 Sorority, Inc., joined in the women’s suffrage movement, 14 demanding rights for women, including the right to vote, a 15 historic endeavor that transformed the role of women in the 16 democratic process, and 17 WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is a sisterhood 18 of college-educated women committed to implementing the 19 sorority’s mission through its Five-Point Program Thrust: 20 economic development, educational development, physical and 21 mental health, political awareness and involvement, and 22 international awareness and involvement, and 23 WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in 2013 24 celebrated 100 years of commendable service and support to local 25 communities, leading dialogue on public policy issues, 26 supporting quality education, producing new projects to 27 stimulate current and future economic growth, and improving the 28 holistic well-being of minority populations internationally, and 29 WHEREAS, with more than 250,000 college-educated women 30 initiated and more than 900 chapters worldwide, 52 of which are 31 located in Florida and the Bahamas, members of Delta Sigma Theta 32 Sorority, Inc., are clearly focused and visible as corporate and 33 civic leaders, productive public officials, acclaimed 34 academicians, and activists in their own right, and 35 WHEREAS, for the past 21 years, the Florida chapters of 36 Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., have conducted “Delta Days at 37 the Capitol,” where members have a unique opportunity to 38 advocate policies and legislation that will impact every area of 39 the Five-Point Program Thrust, promote leadership, advocacy, and 40 empowerment to effect social change and public policy, advocate 41 for social justice as well as broaden their knowledge of the 42 state’s legislative process, and influence the enactment of 43 legislation of particular interest to African Americans and 44 women, and 45 WHEREAS, under the leadership of the national president of 46 Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Paulette C. Walker, a resident 47 of Tampa; Southern Regional Director Cheryl W. Turner; and 48 Southern Regional Representative Brittany Stephenson, members of 49 the 52 chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., now serving 50 Florida and the Bahamas will converge January 24-26, 2016, in 51 Tallahassee to participate in the 22nd annual “Delta Days at the 52 Capitol,” and 53 WHEREAS, Senators Audrey Gibson and Arthenia L. Joyner and 54 Representative Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed are esteemed members of 55 Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., NOW, THEREFORE, 56 57 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 58 59 That the Florida Senate commends Delta Sigma Theta 60 Sorority, Inc., for the remarkable contributions the 61 organization has made to the people of this state and recognizes 62 January 24-26, 2016, as the 22nd annual “Delta Days at the 63 Capitol.”