A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE SISTERS OF THE Iota Chi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, TO CONGRATULATE THEM UPON THE CHAPTER'S GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY OF PUBLIC SERVICE, AND TO DECLARE FEBRUARY 17, 2023 IOTA CHI DAY IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the Iota Chi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary in February 2023; and

Whereas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is an organization of college-educated women committed to the constructive development of its members and to public service with a primary focus on the Black community; and

Whereas, a private, nonprofit organization, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., provides assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world; and

Whereas, since its founding in 1913, more than 300,000 women have joined this predominantly Black sisterhood of college-educated women. The sorority currently has over 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters located in the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica, the Republic of Korea, the Arabian Gulf, Southern Africa, and West Africa; and

Whereas, the major programs of the Sorority are based upon the organization's Five Point Programmatic Thrust of economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement; and

Whereas, the Iota Chi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was chartered on February 17, 1973, by seventeen outstanding women at the University of South Carolina (USC). Since its humble beginnings, Iota Chi has flourished in upholding the ideals of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., by striving for scholastic excellence, serving the USC campus and greater Columbia communities, and embracing everlasting sisterhood; and

Whereas, Iota Chi participates annually in the battle against cancer through Relay for Life, contributing over eighteen hundred dollars last year alone, through holding a free cook-out where donations are accepted and through setting up a tent to sell drinks and chips on the night of Relay for Life; and

Whereas, for a week during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Iota Chi raised funds to donate to breast cancer research through the collection of pennies and other change in jars; and

Whereas, Together We Rise is a national non-profit organization supported by Iota Chi, which seeks to help local foster children. Iota Chi has partnered with the Together We Rise chapter at USC in a drive to collect both kitchen items and school supplies for Palmetto Place Children's Shelter; and

Whereas, Iota Chi has partnered with the Preemie Parcels Chapter on USC's campus to donate blankets and pacifiers for local premature babies; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives values the significant contributions that the successful young women of the Iota Chi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., have made in their communities over the last fifty years, and the members look forward to hearing of their continued achievements for many years to come. 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 Iota Chi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., at the University of South Carolina and congratulate them upon the chapter's golden anniversary of public service.

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

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