Senate Resolution No. 480

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMENDING Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. upon the
occasion of hosting its Annual Youth Symposium on
March 11, 2023

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
illustrious organizations within the State of New York whose focus and
intent have made a substantial impact on the quality of life in their
communities; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Sigma Chapter upon the
occasion of hosting its Annual Youth Symposium on Saturday, March 11,
2023, in Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, Held on the second Saturday of March by Alumnae Chapters
across the nation, the Annual Youth Symposium serves as a unifying
effort during Sigma Week to support local youth and address issues that
affect teens today; and

WHEREAS, The Annual Youth Symposium, supported by undergraduate
chapters and affiliates, is designed to highlight some of the prevalent
concerns that negatively impact our youth, such as drugs, teen violence,
abuse, low self-esteem, suicide, teen pregnancy, human trafficking, and
more; and

WHEREAS, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was organized on November
12, 1922, in Indianapolis, Indiana by seven young educators: Mary Lou
Allison Gardner Little, Dorothy Hanley Whiteside, Vivian Irene White
Marbury, Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson, Hattie Mae Annette Dulin Redford,
Bessie Mae Downey Rhoades Martin, and Cubena McClure; and

WHEREAS, Becoming an incorporated national collegiate sorority on
December 30, 1929, Sigma Gamma Rho was granted a charter to the Alpha
chapter at Butler University; and

WHEREAS, The originator of this nationwide, one-day symposium, Dr.
LaRona J. Morris, Past Grand Basileus or National President, initiated
this program under her administration through the years of 1996 through
2000; and

WHEREAS, Sigma Gamma Rho's motivation to empower youth in our
communities through hands-on and interactive leadership activities has
never dulled; the Annual Youth Symposium has a standardized agenda and
program package to be used nationwide at the event; and

WHEREAS, In 2004, the National Headquarters moved from Chicago,
Illinois, to its current residence in Cary, North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Sigma women are dedicated to helping each other, and their
personal success is recognized in The AURORA and through various awards;
and

WHEREAS, The dynamic and inspiring women of Sigma Gamma Rho have
built and sustained a well-known and well-respected reputation for
leading positive change to help uplift the community through sisterhood,
leadership, and service; and

WHEREAS, Sigma Gamma Rho's commitment to service is expressed in its
slogan, "Greater Service, Greater Progress," and the sorority has a
proud history of providing positive and proactive community outreach
nationally and internationally; the programs, partnerships, and
sponsorships offered by the sorority represent Sigma Gamma Rho's
commitment to promoting the greater good in education, service, and
leadership development; and

WHEREAS, Sigma Gamma Rho has welcomed more than 100,000 collegiate
and professional women from diverse backgrounds and professions; the
sorority has more than 500 chapters worldwide, in the United States,
Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, South Korea, U.S. Virgin Islands, and
the United Arab Emirates; and

WHEREAS, Devoted to empowering women at all stages in life, Sigma
Gamma Rho also has active affiliate groups to assist alumnae chapters
with various service efforts and programs, such as The Rhoer Club
Affiliates, which consists of teenage girls, and Philos Affiliates,
which are friends of the sorority; and

WHEREAS, The main goal of the locally anticipated Annual Youth
Symposium is to be relevant in the lives of youth; the program is
extraordinarily beneficial to developing minds and improves both
educational and behavioral outcomes of participants; and

WHEREAS, With the current state of our world, protecting our youth
is imperative to the progress of our Nation; the Annual Youth Symposium
equips local youth with the skills and competencies to advocate for
themselves as well as their peers; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, this vital event creates dialogue and presents
opportunities for youth to connect to community resources, providing
inspiration for positive and long-lasting change; and

WHEREAS, The success of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. 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 sorority and the population it serves; and

WHEREAS, In light of its commitment, dedication, and successful
efforts, it is the practice of this Legislative Body to extend its
highest commendation to the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Sigma Chapter upon the
occasion of hosting its Annual Youth Symposium on Saturday, March 11,
2023; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Sigma Chapter.