MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives James-Jones, Banks, Bell (65th), Butler-Washington, Cockerham, Crudup, Denton, Faulkner, Gibbs (72nd), Harness, Hines, Holloway (27th), Holloway (76th), Karriem, McCray, Mickens, Nelson, Porter, Scott, Taylor, Thompson, Foster
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 CAPITOL AND ASSERTING THEIR STRENGTH THROUGH ADVOCACY ON FEBRUARY 5-6, 2024.
WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, a national, nonprofit and nonpartisan sisterhood and public service organization which has stood the test of time, 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 its 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 February 5-6, 2024, the dynamic ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, have journeyed to the capital city focused on "Taking a Stand, by Taking Our Seat" as part of their civic engagement, social advocacy and unified efforts to increase political awareness during their annual Mississippi Delta Days at the Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Delta Days at the Capitol 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 advocating and asserting the collective strength of the members of this sisterhood to work strategically within the legislative process; and
WHEREAS, holding true to its legacy and commitment to advancing its arm of public service, Delta Days at the Capitol is a vitally enduring component of the organization's national agenda to educate and stimulate its members regarding public policy and advocacy, denoting more than 111 years of social action to remain politically engaged with policy implementation in the State of Mississippi, a testament in keeping with the mission and motto established by its founders and highlighting its nine cardinal values, as best symbolized by the nine jewels incorporated into the Sigma emblem: Honesty, Purity, Fidelity, Justice, Compassion, Dedication, Fellowship, Temperance and Courtesy; 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 with precision and finality; and
WHEREAS, this year's Delta Days at the Capitol 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; all of whom are duly supported by the Mississippi National Social Action Commissioner, Waikinya Clanton; and
WHEREAS, the Chairwomen of the 2024 Delta Days at the Capitol are State Representative for House District 51, Timaka James-Jones and Shulandra Kerr, who are passionately supported by the host chapter, the Madison County, Mississippi Alumnae Chapter, under the keen leadership of President Keila Brown; and
WHEREAS, zealous in their steadfast commitment to remain the voice for the voiceless in the communities served by the organization, both alumnae and collegiate chapters are expected, during the two-day Delta Days at the Capitol event, 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 Capitol; 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 111 years of commitment and resolve to social activism throughout the State of Mississippi and congratulate them on the occasion of hosting its Mississippi Delta Days at the Capitol, and "Taking a Stand, by Taking Our Seat" at the advocacy table on February 5-6, 2024.
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.