Recognizing the 20th Anniversary of the Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Floor Speech
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Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 20th Anniversary of the Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. The Chapter includes the communities of Prince William County, the City of Manassas, the City of Manassas Park, and Stafford County.
Coinciding with the local chapter's 20th Anniversary is the international organization's 112th Anniversary. The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. was founded on November 17, 1911, by three Howard University undergraduate students, Edgar A. Love, Oscar J. Cooper, and Frank Coleman, along with their faculty adviser, Professor Ernest E. Just. Together, they laid the foundation of an organization based on the core principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift. From the initials of the Greek phrase meaning, ``friendship is essential to the soul'', the name Omega Psi Phi was derived. For 112 years, the membership has upheld a strong tradition of friendship and civic engagement.
The chapter was chartered on January 24, 2004, by the fraternity's Supreme Council led by the 37th Grand Basileus, Dr. George H. Grace and the Third District Representative, Brother Curtis Baylor. The 29 Charter Members of the chapter are Brother Crispin A. Abad, Brother Honney L. Barner, Brother David Bell, Brother Gene Bryson, Brother Willie D. Camp, Brother Byron L. Cherry, Brother Leonard Daniels, Brother Phillip Ferguson, Brother Anthony M. Fields, Sr., Brother Walter Gooley, Brother Gregory L. Hamlett, Brother George M. Hampton, Brother Darryl K. Hairston, Brother James Harris, Brother Steven B. Holmes, Brother William H. Hundley, Brother Alexander King, Brother Johnny Q. Ledbetter, Brother Bennie J. Lotlie, Brother Herbert Mitchell, Brother Bernard V. Oliphant, Brother George M. Parker, Sr., Brother Jordon C. Pope, Brother Gregory Reid, Brother Carl T. Ross, Brother Andre Smith, Brother Arthur A. Sobers, Brother David Stevenson, and Brother Algie Walker, Jr.
The chapter members are expected to participate in social action programs and activities that will uplift their communities. Some of the activities under the umbrella of social action include voter registration, education, Assault on Illiteracy, Habitat for Humanity, mentoring, and participation in fundraisers for charities such as American Diabetes Association, United Way, Sickle Cell Anemia, etc. Additionally, the chapter offers 5 different scholarship opportunities for students.
The chapter leadership over the 20 years has been past Chapter Basilei: Brother Bernard V. Oliphant, Brother Byron L. Cherry, Brother Harvey L. Woodson, Jr., Brother George M. Parker, Sr., Brother Trevor J. Hamilton, Brother Tony B. Bullock, Brother David Holliday, Brother Raymond Bell, Brother Eddie Stephens, Jr., Brother Jeffrey Allen, and the current Chapter Basileus, Brother Charles Hunter.
The chapter has won many fraternity and civic awards most notably the following International Awards:
2005-2006 International: Social Action Chapter of the Year
2006-2007 International: Social Action Chapter of the Year
2010-2011 International: Social Action Large Graduate Chapter of the Year
2010-2011 International: Graduate Large Chapter of the Year
2011-2012 International: Graduate Large Chapter of the Year
2014-2015 International: Graduate Large Chapter of the Year
2019-2020 International: St Jude & Omega--The Power of Giving 2020 Top Chapter Fund Raiser
2020-2021 International: St Jude & Omega--The Power of Giving 2021 Top Chapter Fund Raiser
2021-2022 International: St Jude & Omega--The Power of Giving 2022 Top Chapter Fund Raiser
2022-2023 International: Social Action Chapter of the Year
2022-2023 International: St Jude & Omega--The Power of Giving 2023 Top Chapter Fund Raiser
The Pi Lambda Lambda's 20th Anniversary Celebration was held on Saturday, January 20, 2024, in Dumfries, VA. The committee chaired by Brother Trevor J. Hamilton and assisted by Brother Daryl Furman, Brother James Lloyd, Brother James Rowe, Brother Derwin Babineaux, Brother Randall Webb, and Brother Rowland Webb, Sr. has planned a wonderful event.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc for their 20th Anniversary. It is civic groups like the Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter that define the character of our communities and give measure to our generosity of spirit.
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