TITLE: Recognizing May 15, 2019, as Red and White Day.

SUMMARY: Recognizing May 15, 2019, as Red and White Day.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Collegiate and alumnae members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, are gathering in Austin on May 15, 2019, to celebrate Red and White Day, a day of advocacy and action, at the State Capitol; and WHEREAS, The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded in 1913 at Howard University in Washington, D.C.; the 22 original members included four young women from Texas, Zephyr Chisom Carter, Jessie McGuire Dent, Frederica Chase Dodd, and Myra Davis Hemmings, all of whom were committed to academic excellence and social change; members marched in a women's suffrage parade soon after the sorority's founding, and the sorority was incorporated as a national organization in 1930; and WHEREAS, Since its founding, more than 200,000 women have joined Delta Sigma Theta in the United States and in several foreign countries; the sorority has about 1,000 chapters, with many in the Lone Star State; members work toward positive change in their communities and are advocates for economic development, international awareness, physical and mental health, and improvements in education; moreover, they mentor at-risk young women, conduct voter awareness drives, host political forums, and help guide and inform public policy; and WHEREAS, Many members of the sorority have gone on to have distinguished careers in public service, including Texas state representatives Rhetta Andrews Bowers and Toni Rose, as well as the late state representative Ruth Jones McClendon and the late congresswoman Barbara Jordan; and WHEREAS, The women of Delta Sigma Theta have enriched the State of Texas and the nation through their generosity and their wide array of programs and services, and it is indeed a pleasure to commend them for their noteworthy endeavors; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th Legislature, hereby recognize May 15, 2019, as Red and White Day at the State Capitol and extend to all those involved with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the sorority as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. West President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 15, 2019.