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.