House Resolution 94

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, INC., FOR ITS DEDICATION TO CREATE SOCIAL IMPROVEMENT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND CONGRATULATING THE ORGANIZATION ON THE OCCASION OF ITS CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.

WHEREAS, given life on November 17, 1911, on the campus of Howard University, when three students, Edgar A. Love, Oscar J. Cooper and Frank Coleman, with the assistance of Professor Ernest E. Just, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., was birthed as an organization from the initials of the Greek phrase meaning "friendship is essential to the soul"; and

WHEREAS, these men sought to fill a gap within the community by promoting the principles of manhood, scholarship, perseverance and uplift, characteristics necessary not only for the survival of a man, but the success of a man; and

WHEREAS, since its inception and with more than 700 chapters throughout the United States, Bermuda, Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Korea, Japan, Liberia, Germany and Kuwait, thousands of Omega men have actively fought, as leaders and participants in vital historic demonstrations for social change, creating social change for the betterment of all people; and

WHEREAS, in the tradition of this phenomenal organization, the Beta Alpha Chapter has remained steadfast in its commitment to social improvement within the community by delivering the community's issues to the policy makers under the leadership of State Representative Fernandeis Frazier and current and former Chapter Basileus: Frederick Burns (2009-present); Craig Porter (2007-2009); Andre Brown (2006-2007) and George W. Jamison II (2003-2006); and

WHEREAS, members of the Beta Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., are: Andrea Alexander, Darryl Anderson, Victor Andrews, Cornelius Antwine, David Archer, Vermon Archer, Olufemi Daramola, Lee A. Bernard, Douglas Blanchard, Shawn Bridgsman, Gowon Brisby, Jerry Brooks, Andre Brown, William Bo Brown, Carlos Buford, Billy Bullock, Fredrick Burns, Antonio Caldwell, Cedric T. Casher, Fulton Caston, Derrick Chandler, Morgan Coleman, Lonnie C. Collier, James Cropper, Kenyatta Cropper, Caramu Cunning, William T. Davis, Howard Derrick, William Dixon, Joe Dockins, Bobby Donald, Eddie Fair, George Foster, Lionel Fraser, Raymond Fraser, Lee A. Frison, Sr., Michael Garrett, Charles Gibson, LaMarcus Griffen, Wayne Goodman, George Handy, Tyrel Harris, Malcolm Harrison, Benjamin Hart, Jeff Hart, Derrick Hicks, Chris Haynes, James Henley, Jr., Melvin Hodge, Robert Hooker, Chris Holmes, Lindsey Horton, Jimmie James, Jr., Sherman E. Jackson, Dwayne Jamison, George W. Jamison II, William Jemison, Curtis Johnson, Edward Johnson, Abram Jones, Reginald Jones, James Jordon, Alfred R. Junior, Jerry Knight, Marcato Marshall, Alfred R. Junior, Joseph Mathis, Willie Lake, D.E. Magee, Leonard D. Magee, Joe Mitchell, Thomas Moman, John Morris, II, Fred Nelson, Nathaniel Owens, Melvin Pace, Herbert Parker, Craig Porter, Patrick B. Powe, Roland Powell, Jr., Roland Powell, Sr., Lanier Price, Byron Quick, Damany Ransom, Alfred H. Rhodes, Darrell Richardson, Charles F. Robinson, Billy Roby, William Rush, Joseph L. Russell, Bill Sanders, Hugh Smith, Charles Spann, William Speed, Von Stapleton, Frank Sutton, Alexie Jamel Taylor, Lazarus Taylor, Anthony Thompson, Orlando Tribune, James Triplett, Jeffery Turner, Trent Walker, Tom Wallace, Michael C. Weaver, Bryan C. Wells, Clarence White, Oliver White, John Wilkerson, Robert Williams, Dewayne Wooten, Louis Wright, Jr., Louis P. Wright, Sr., Stanley Wright, Earl Joe Nelson, Edward Huddleton, Henry "Chuck" Espy, Spurgeon Banyard, Greg Smith, Ron Cardo, Greg Crenshaw, Jeff Lewis, Eric Strothers, Jarrod Huey, Robert Woodreff, Andre Johnson, Lidell Jackson, Patrell Williams, Derrick Jones, William Latham, Larry McCory and Cedric Bynum; and

WHEREAS, a part of the Seventh District, comprised of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida, and more than 4,000 members, the brothers will engage one another's company and fellowship during the Seventh District Regional Conference in Montgomery, Alabama, March 31-April 3, 2011, and make further preparations for the grandeur of the Centennial Conclave in Washington, D.C., July 27-31, 2011; and

WHEREAS, because the organization's profound commitment is not simply a local commitment to the community but to the world, internationally mandated programs were established by Omega Psi Phi to ensure that its message would reach the masses; and

WHEREAS, these internationally mandated programs are: Achievement Week, Scholarship Programs, Social Action Programs, Talent Hunt Programs, the College Endowment Fund, Health Initiatives, Voter Education and Mobilization, and membership in the NAACP; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize the contributions made by community organizations such as Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., for its dedication to create social improvement within the community and congratulate the organization upon the occasion of its centennial anniversary, in celebration of 100 years of profound excellence.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., International Headquarters, the Beta Alpha Chapter and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.