Honor Women of Color Event

Senate Resolution No. 3119 BY: Senator BRESLIN COMMENDING the Nu Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting its 1st Annual Women of Color Celebration WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to organizations of true purpose and worthy accomplishment which are dedicated to serving their community and to celebrating and preserving their rich ethnic heritage; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the Nu Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting its 1st Annual Women of Color Celebration; this momentous week-long occasion will begin on Sunday, November 12, 2017, and will culminate with an Awards Gala on Saturday, November 18, 2017, at the Albany Capital Center, Albany, New York; and WHEREAS, The first international fraternal organization to be established on the campus of a historically black college, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. was founded on November 17, 1911, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. by three of the University's undergraduates, Edgar Amos Love, Oscar James Cooper and Frank Coleman, as well as their faculty adviser, Dr. Ernest Everett Just; and WHEREAS, Each of these founders graduated and went on to have distinguished careers in their chosen fields: Edgar Love became a Methodist bishop; Oscar Cooper practiced medicine in Philadelphia for over 50 years; Frank Coleman became the chairman of the Department of Physics at Howard University and Dr. Ernest E. Just became a world-renowned biologist and a recipient of the prestigious NAACP Spingarn Medal; and WHEREAS, Omega Psi Phi was incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia on October 28, 1914; from the initials of the Greek phrase meaning, friendship is essential to the soul, the name Omega Psi Phi was derived and the phrase was selected as its motto; and WHEREAS, Remaining true to its Cardinal Principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift, Omega Psi Phi initiated a program in 1955, whereby each graduate chapter would purchase a Life Membership from the NAACP; and WHEREAS, On March 5, 1960, at the home of Brother Samuel Jefferson, a group of nine graduate brothers elected officers for the first graduate chapter in the Tri-City area under the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; the elected officers included: Basileus, Bro. Joseph B. Robinson; Vice Basileus, Bro. Donald White; Keeper of Records and Seals, Bro. Earl Goodwind; Keeper of Finance, Bro. Samuel Jefferson; Chapter Editor, Bro. Emil Drysdale; Chaplain, Bro. Edmund O'Neal, Jr.; Keeper of the Peace, Bro. Ignatius Collier; and Parliamentarian, Bro. Robert Jones; and WHEREAS, A meeting was called to order on April 9, 1960, during which time the Second District Representative, Bro. Coleman, presented the charter of membership for Nu Tau Chapter; the chapter's first initiation was held in December of the same year; and WHEREAS, Through the years, this vital organization has become a strong voice against police brutality, efforts to suppress voting rights and other social ills; the fraternity sough plausible solutions to civil unrest that erupted in urban communities following fatal police shootings; and WHEREAS, In addition, the fraternity joined forces with former President Barack Obama to promote fatherhood and responsible parenting through the national Fatherhood Initiative; and WHEREAS, The success of the Nu Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity is in direct correlation to the efforts of its members, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be recognized and celebrated by all the citizens of the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend the Nu Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting its 1st Annual Women of Color Celebration; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Nu Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.