House Resolution 144

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE DYNAMIC LADIES OF DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INCORPORATED, ON THE OCCASION OF HOSTING ITS MISSISSIPPI DELTA DAYS AT THE CAPITAL AND EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES THROUGH ACTION, ADVOCACY AND ADVANCEMENT ON MARCH 20-21, 2023.

WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, is a national, nonprofit and nonpartisan sisterhood and public service organization that has stood the test of time, and is represented by over 1,000 chapters throughout the United States, England, Japan, Germany, the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas and the Republic of Korea, including numerous chapters within the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, public service and social change have been synonymous with this organization since its founding in 1913, and sparked a movement that has shown growth of more than 300,000 members internationally through policy platforms that have served as the catalysts driving Delta Days for the past three decades to uphold the mantle of answering the call to civic, social and political activism; and

WHEREAS, on March 20-21, 2023, the dynamic ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, have journeyed to the capital city focused on "Empowering our Communities Through Action, Advocacy and Advancement" during their annual Mississippi Delta Days at the Capital; and

WHEREAS, Delta Days at the Capital is a time for members to engage with elected officials and promote awareness for important legislative issues impacting the community, and paired with the goal of educating, engaging and empowering members of this sisterhood to work strategically within the legislative process; and

WHEREAS, remaining true to its legacy and commitment to public service, Delta Days at the Capital is a part of the organization's national agenda to educate and stimulate its members regarding public policy and advocacy, marking more than 110 years of social action to remain politically engaged with policy implementation in the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, because the national and local organizations remain engaged in causes that impact the communities of its members through political engagement and social reform, the regional and local chapters work hard to execute plans of action; and

WHEREAS, this year's Delta Days at the Capital steering committee includes Southern Regional Director Amaris L. Johnson, Southern Regional Representative Jaylin C. Martin, Regional Social Action Coordinator Alfreda D. Coward, Mississippi State Coordinator Jennifer Riley, PhD and the Mississippi State Facilitator Sydney Ballard, duly supported by the Mississippi National Social Action Commissioner Waikinya Clanton; and

WHEREAS, the Chairwomen of the 2023 Delta Days at the Capital are Dr. Kia M. Jones, Timaka James-Jones and Shulandra Kerr, who are passionately supported by the host chapter, the Jackson, Mississippi Alumnae Chapter, under the keen leadership of President Nakisha Davis, First Vice President Juanaké Taylor and Second Vice President Latoya Reed; and

WHEREAS, remaining the voice of the voiceless in the communities served by the organization, both alumnae and collegiate chapters are expected to engage in workshops and sessions led by experts in various areas of political, social and civic involvement, geared toward raising member awareness and increasing member involvement in the public policy-making process; and

WHEREAS, this year's event is mobilized to represent more than 3,000 members from chapters across the state, the ladies from the Alumnae Chapters of Alcorn County, Bolivar County, Clarksdale-Marks, Clay County, Clinton, DeSoto County, Greenville, Greenwood-Itta Bena, Hattiesburg, Jackson, Madison, Meridian, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Moss Point, Natchez, Pike County, Vicksburg and Yazoo City, along with the young ladies from the collegiate chapters of Alcorn State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, Rust College, Tougaloo College, the University of Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi will convene in Jackson, Mississippi, to continue the legacy of Mississippi Delta Days at the Capital; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend dedicated civic organizations, such as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, that have given and continue to give countless volunteer hours to educate and improve communities throughout this great state, the nation and the world:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the dynamic ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, for their commitment to educate and improve communities throughout the State of Mississippi and congratulate them on the occasion of hosting its Mississippi Delta Days at the Capital, and Empowering Their Communities Through Action, Advocacy and Advancement on March 20-21, 2023.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Mississippi Chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.