A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE MEMBERS OF THE dELTA eTA CHAPTER OF THE CHI ETA PHI SORORITY, INC., AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM ON THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHAPTER'S FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the Delta Eta Chapter of the Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., celebrated the chapter's fortieth anniversary in June 2022 with thirty-seven active members working toward a healthier tomorrow and building nurse leaders; and

Whereas, the Delta Eta chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., was founded in Columbia in June 1982, only the second Chi Eta Phi chapter in South Carolina when it was chartered. Members of the nascent chapter represented professional African-American registered nurses working in all areas of nursing service, nursing administration, and various institutions, including hospitals and Army and public health. Today, forty years later, two of the charter members of the chapter remain active; and

Whereas, the primary projects of the Delta Eta Chapter, centered around serving the community, have continued from its inception. Delta Eta members dress in green and yellow attire while participating in diverse blood drives, blood-pressure screenings in churches and schools, and various public events, such as Prisma Health Midland Wellfest, formerly Women at Heart and Men's Health Day; and

Whereas, for the last several years, Delta Eta has supported the national partnership of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., with the National Kidney Disease Education Program by presenting Kidney Sunday at designated local churches. Sorority sisters also partner with organizations, such as the James R. Clark Sickle Cell Foundation, the American Heart Association, and American Cancer Society, to distribute important health information to the public; and

Whereas, in 2018, the Delta Eta Chapter partnered with the Christ Central Mission in downtown Columbia to assist with various programs at the mission weekly. In 2021, Delta Eta partnered with local Girls Scout Troops and with Palmetto Oaks Adult Day Care Center to provide health related education, monthly and as requested, and these partnerships continue to grow; and

Whereas, the Delta Eta Chapter has been proud to sponsor two Beta chapters, Delta Eta Beta founded at South Carolina State University (SC State) and Delta Eta Alpha Beta founded at the University of South Carolina (USC). The Beta chapters of both schools have represented the Delta Eta Chapter and Chi Eta Phi well. When SC State closed its undergraduate nursing program with the 2014 graduating class, the last active class of Delta Eta Beta graduated. Although the Delta Eta Alpha Beta chapter at USC is currently dormant, members hope to revive the chapter in the near future; and

Whereas, Delta Eta established the Brenda Brown Nursing Scholarship in 1993 in memory of Soror Brenda Brown. The chapter held its 36th Annual Green & Yellow Scholarship Gala in October 2018, but due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the 37th has been scheduled for October 2023; and

Whereas, the chapter has provided funds to assist deserving minority nursing students with their nursing education, and Delta Eta established an additional undergraduate award in 2018. A Green & Yellow Luncheon was held in October 2022 to award one scholarship award and a hardship relief award. The Delta Eta Alpha Beta Award was founded to recognize and encourage Chi Eta Phi nursing students at USC who have exemplified the sorority's qualities of service, leadership, and academics; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives commend the young women of the Delta Eta Chapter of the Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., who diligently work and serve to instill these qualities in their African-American nursing peers and in our communities. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the members of the Delta Eta Chapter of the Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., and congratulate them on the celebration of the chapter's fortieth anniversary.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Delta Eta Chapter of the Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc.

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