MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2019 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Bell (65th), Bailey, Blackmon, Hines, Taylor, Hughes, Anthony, Karriem, Straughter, Watson, Gibbs (72nd), Dixon

House Concurrent Resolution 13

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING DR. DAVID MARION FOR BEING NAMED GRAND BASILEUS OF OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, INC.

     WHEREAS, elected as Grand Basileus of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Dr. David Marion is tremendously dedicated to serving his community through both his membership in this outstanding fraternal institution and his distinguished career as a professional counselor; and

     WHEREAS, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., founded on November 17, 1911, seeks to occupy a progressive, cooperative and constructive place in the civic and political life in communities across the nation and throughout the world, and since its founding, Omega Psi Phi's mission has been to build a strong and effective force of men dedicated to its Cardinal Principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift, and from the initials of the Greek phrase "friendship is essential to the soul," the name Omega Psi Phi was derived and the phrase was selected as the fraternity's motto; and

     WHEREAS, as an outstanding Omega member, Dr. Marion holds a doctor of philosophy, counseling and psychology degree and a master's degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling/counselor from Mississippi State University, along with a bachelor's degree in business administration and management from Jackson State University, and as a licensed professional counselor in Alabama and Mississippi, and a licensed marriage and family therapist in Mississippi, Dr. Marion is state, nationally and internationally certified in addictions counseling, nationally certified in domestic violence counseling and nationally certified in counseling criminals; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Marion has served as the Basileus and Vice Basileus of the Eta Xi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi in Starkville, Mississippi, Regional Representative for Northern Mississippi, State Marshal, State Scholarship Committee Chairman, First Vice State Representative for Mississippi, State Representative for Mississippi, Seventh District Recommendations and Rules Committee Chairman, Seventh District Historian, First Vice Seventh District Representative and the 19th Seventh District Representative, and he now currently serves as the First Vice Grand Basileus of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; and

     WHEREAS, devoted to his family, Dr. Marion is married to his wife, Mrs. Joyce A. Cole-Marion, Ph.D., and they have been blessed with two daughters, Chelsea and Chloe, and in addition to his service with the fraternity, Dr. Marion and his wife own and operate Marion Counseling Services, which provides short and long term therapy, case management, psychological evaluations and psychiatric services that are professional, confidential and affordable to clients who are experiencing emotional and mental difficulties; and

     WHEREAS, with its long list of exceptional members who have made tremendous contributions to the betterment of society through their extensive and outstanding community service for more than 100 years, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., has become a pinnacle of hope within the State of Mississippi and across the globe, and Dr. Marion is an integral part of the fraternity's success; and

     WHEREAS, considered as a Titan in Omega, a mirror resemblance of great Omega leaders of the past, Dr. David Marion remains committed to being a man of sterling worth, with unsullied character and perseverance and the rectitude to lend himself to the coexistence of his fellow men, and he has always maintained a very high standard of excellence throughout his fraternal and professional careers; and

     WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend outstanding Mississippians, especially those such as Dr. David Marion, whose incredible dedication to community service brings honor to his family, his community and to the State of Mississippi:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and commend Dr. David Marion for being elected as Grand Basileus of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and extend best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. David Marion and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.