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Recognizing, honoring and congratulating Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated on its 107th Founder’s Day.
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WHEREAS, The Philadelphia City Council traditionally recognizes significant contributions to our community, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated is one such contributor and prepares to celebrate its 107th Founder’s Day on January 9, 2021; and
WHEREAS, On January 9, 1914, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., by A. Langston Taylor, Leonard F. Morse, and Charles I. Brown; and
WHEREAS, The founders of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated wanted to organize a Greek-letter fraternity that would truly exemplify the ideals of brotherhood, scholarship and service and that viewed itself as “a part of” the general community rather than “apart from” the general community; and
WHEREAS, The founders desired for their fraternity to exist as part of an even greater brotherhood which would be devoted to the “inclusive we” rather than the “exclusive we” and would deliver services to the general community; and
WHEREAS, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was founded on the simple belief that rather than gaining skills exclusively for themselves and their families, members should return their newly acquired skills to the community from which they had come, which is mirrored in the Fraternity’s motto, “Culture for Service and Service for Humanity”; and
WHEREAS, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., are the only National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations that can claim an authentic brother-sister association through a constitutional bond; and
WHEREAS, This constitutional bond allows both organizations to work closely together as they attempt to materialize what their founders envisioned through a deep and abiding dedication to enhancing and promoting systematic fellowship, African-American self-determination, justice, equal rights and service to all humankind; and
WHEREAS, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. has continued its steady climb into the national spotlight with programs designed to demonstrate a commitment to serving humanity both nationally and internationally including Sigma Wellness, International Collegiate Leadership Team, Sigma Leadership Academy, Collegiate Advisors University, and Phi Beta Sigma Federal Credit Union; and
WHEREAS, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. works with the American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Boy Scouts of America, and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, amongst other charitable partnerships; and
WHEREAS, Over the past 107 years, members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. have maintained a strong commitment to Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service through their four main programs: Bigger and Better Business, Education, Social Action, and Sigma Beta Clubs; and
WHEREAS, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. has chartered more than 675 chapters around the world including in the City of Philadelphia and across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and has a membership of over 150,000 college educated men; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we recognize, honor and congratulate Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated on the occasion of its 107th Founder’s Day.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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