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File #: 220953    Version: 0 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: ADOPTED
File created: 12/1/2022 In control: CITY COUNCIL
On agenda: Final action: 12/1/2022
Title: Recognizing, honoring and congratulating Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated on its 109th Founders' Day
Sponsors: Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Gauthier, Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Squilla, Councilmember Brooks, Councilmember Oh, Councilmember Bass
Attachments: 1. Signature22095300
Title
Recognizing, honoring and congratulating Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated on its 109th Founders' Day

Body
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 109th Founders' Day on January 9, 2023; 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...

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