Resolution 230915

..Title Recognizing, honoring and congratulating Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated on its 110th 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 110th Founders' Day on January 9, 2024; 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, Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, and In, amongst other charitable partnerships; and WHEREAS, Over the past 110 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 110th Founders' 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. ..End