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TO DESIGNATE APRIL 11, 2007, AS OMEGA DAY AT THE SOUTH CAROLINA CAPITOL IN HONOR OF THE WORTHY HERITAGE AND MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE MEMBERS OF OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY.
Whereas, on Friday evening, November 17, 1911, three Howard University undergraduate students, with the assistance of their faculty advisor, gave birth to the Omega Psi Phi fraternity; and
Whereas, the three liberal arts students were Edgar A. Love, Oscar J. Cooper, and Frank Coleman, with Professor Ernest E. Just being faculty advisor; and
Whereas, from the initials of the Greek phrase meaning "friendship is essential to the soul," the name of Omega Psi Phi was derived, and this phrase was selected as the fraternity's motto; and
Whereas, manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and uplift were adopted as the fraternity's cardinal principles; and
Whereas, Edgar A. Love became the first Grand Basileus (National President), Oscar J. Cooper was named Grand Keeper of the Records (National Secretary), and Frank Coleman was selected Grand Keeper of the Seals (National Treasurer); and
Whereas, "Omega Dear" was adopted as the fraternity's official hymn in 1931; and
Whereas, since the days of its founding, many members of Omega Psi Phi fraternity have excelled in the fields of their calling, even to this day, and there are very few Americans whose lives have not been touched by a member of this fine fraternal organization during its nearly one-hundred-year history; and
Whereas, among the fraternity's eminent members are brother Dr. Charles Drew, who perfected the use of blood plasma as a lifesaving tool; and
Whereas, in 1941, another prominent member, brother William Hastie, resigned as civilian aide to the Secretary of War in protest against discrimination in the armed forces and was later appointed Governor of the Virgin Islands by President Truman; and
Whereas, in the present day, well-known members include the honorable brother James E. Clyburn, who currently serves as Majority Whip in the United States Congress, as well as these brothers who serve in the South Carolina House of Representatives: Floyd Breeland, William "Bill" Clyburn, Jerry N. Govan, Christopher R. Hart, Lonnie Hosey, David J. Mack III, John L. Scott, Jr., and Fletcher Smith; and
Whereas, the "Mighty Sixth District" of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity comprises North Carolina and South Carolina and is currently under the outstanding leadership of brother Charles Worth, District Representative; and
Whereas, committed to fostering the best in both members and those whose lives they influence, the fraternity's ten nationally mandated programs are Achievement Week, Scholarship, Social Action, Talent Hunt, Memorial Service, Reclamation, National High School Essay Contest, Assault on Illiteracy, United Negro College Fund, and the Charles Drew Blood Drive; and
Whereas, Omega continues to flourish largely because founders Love, Cooper, Coleman, and Just were men of the very highest ideals and intellect. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, designate April 11, 2007, as Omega Day at the South Carolina Capitol in honor of the worthy heritage and many accomplishments of the members of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
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