Resolution 110355

..Title Recognizing and Congratulating Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated on the Centennial Anniversary of their historic founding. ..Body WHEREAS, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated was established on the campus of Howard University in Washington D.C. on November 17, 1911 through the pioneering work of students Edgar Amos Love, Oscar James Cooper and Frank Coleman and professor Dr. Ernest Everett Just; and WHEREAS, In 1911, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity became the first African-American national fraternal organization to be founded at a historically black college; and WHEREAS, Omega Psi Phi's founders established "Friendship is Essential to the Soul" as the fraternity's official motto and committed each member to uphold manhood, scholarship, perseverance and uplift as the four Cardinal Principals of the organization; and WHEREAS, In 1930, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity became a founding member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, joining historic organizations Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority; and WHEREAS, The commitment and dedication of Omega Psi Phi's members caused the brotherhood to spread to every corner of the globe, including thousands of members at over 750 chapters worldwide and 23 chapters within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and WHEREAS, Each chapter of Omega Psi Phi engages in the civic life of its community through scholarship programs, social action initiatives, voter registration campaigns, and college endowment drives; and WHEREAS, Omega Psi Phi members like jazz musician William "Count" Basie, college president Benjamin Elijah Mays, actor and author Dr. Bill Cosby, astronaut Guion S. Bluford, civil rights activist Jesse Jackson, attorney Vernon Jordan, surgeon Dr. Charles Drew, and basketball stars Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal have made incalculable contributions to the political, civic and cultural life of the United States; and WHEREAS, On July 27, 2011, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity will return to Washington, D.C. to initiate the centennial celebration of its founding; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize and congratulate Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated on the Centennial Anniversary of their historic founding. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Mu Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. ..End