[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE 49TH GEORGIA STATE WORKSHOP OF OMEGA PSI PHI 
                               FRATERNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 21, 2012

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
49th Georgia State Workshop of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, which will be 
held on October 4-7, 2012 in Columbus, Georgia. Around 1,500 members of 
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. from across the State of Georgia will 
gather in Columbus with their families for this event. The 2012 State 
Workshop theme is ``Friendship and Fraternity, Beyond 100 Years.''
  Since its founding in 1911 at Howard University in Washington, DC, 
Omega Psi Phi members have worked tirelessly to give back to their 
communities. The men of Omega Psi Phi have provided a consistent source 
of support and service to communities throughout the United States and 
the world. Upholding the organization's cardinal principles of manhood, 
scholarship, perseverance, and uplift, the men of Omega Psi Phi 
Fraternity, Inc. have maintained a commitment to the betterment of 
mankind, enhancement of the community, and the enrichment of collegiate 
men. Today, the fraternity boasts more than 700 chapters throughout the 
United States, Bermuda, the Virgin Islands, South Korea, Japan, 
Liberia, Germany, and Kuwait.
  The local Men of Omega Psi Phi, including the Chapters of Lambda Iota 
and Nu Delta at Columbus State University, have contributed to the 
community by holding numerous voter registration drives and blood 
drives. They have also donated school supplies to elementary and high 
school students as well as more than $350,000 to local high school 
seniors who plan to attend college.
  Omega Psi Phi members have also mentored hundreds of at-risk youth 
and have hosted local Talent Hunt programs for gifted Performing Arts 
students. They have conducted hundreds of Adopt-A-Highway cleanups and 
donated Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets to the needy in the 
community. In addition, members have served on various civic boards in 
the Columbus community.
  Continuing the tradition of giving back, Omega Psi Phi's 49th Georgia 
State Workshop will conduct a Health Fair and a Statewide Talent Hunt 
for students of the Performing Arts. They will also mentor young 
African-American male students at Marshall Middle School and make a 
collective donation to Feed the Valley, a local food bank.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the 
49th Georgia State Workshop of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. The Columbus 
community welcomes these outstanding men and their families and 
applauds their dedication and service to the community.

                          ____________________