HR0976 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0976 LRB103 43660 LAW 77010 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., founded at Howard University on November 17, 1911, stands as a beacon of excellence in service, education, and leadership within the African American community and beyond; and

WHEREAS, The biennial Omega Psi Phi Conclave is a gathering of thousands of fraternity members and guests to celebrate brotherhood, fellowship, and a shared commitment to manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and uplift, making it one of the largest and most impactful gatherings of African American leaders, professionals, and innovators in the world; and

WHEREAS, Chicago has long been a hub for African American culture, history, and progress, and the city is home to numerous leaders of national and global significance, including Omega Psi Phi members Reverend Jesse Jackson, Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays, and Benjamin Lawson Hooks; and

WHEREAS, Chicago's near south side neighborhood, a cradle of African American history and innovation, and the city's robust infrastructure, which includes McCormick Place, the largest convention center in North America, makes Chicago uniquely qualified to host an event of such magnitude and prestige; and

WHEREAS, Chicago is a city of firsts, with a history of hosting world-class events and conferences, including the NATO Summit, the NBA All-Star Game, and countless other gatherings that have drawn global attention and acclaim, showcasing the city's capacity for excellence in hospitality and logistics; and

WHEREAS, Hosting the 2028 Omega Psi Phi Conclave in Chicago would provide a significant economic boost to the city and the State, while also offering Omega Psi Phi an opportunity to engage the local community through service initiatives, mentorship programs, and cultural events that align with the fraternity's core principles; and

WHEREAS, The selection of Chicago would honor Omega Psi Phi's historical ties to the city, including the academic and professional contributions of its founders, such as Dr. Ernest Everett Just, who earned his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, and Professor Frank Coleman and Bishop Edgar Love, who also studied in Chicago; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we strongly urge the Supreme Council of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. to select Chicago as the host city for the 2028 Omega Psi Phi Conclave, recognizing the city's unparalleled history, infrastructure, and alignment with the fraternity's mission of service and uplift; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Supreme Council of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the Governor of Illinois, the Mayor of the City of Chicago, and the Illinois Office of Tourism.