[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 117 (Thursday, July 24, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1221]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CELEBRATING THE 100TH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION OF ZETA BETA TAU 
FRATERNITY, AND HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS ANTECEDENT GROUP 
                          PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY

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                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 2014

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, 
my Brotherhood, and its antecedent group Phi Alpha Fraternity in honor 
of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Phi Alpha in celebration of 
the centennial International Convention of Zeta Beta Tau.
   Phi Alpha Fraternity was founded at The George Washington University 
in Washington, D.C., on October 14, 1914, by David Davis, Edward Lewis, 
Hyman Shapiro, Reuben Schmidt and Maurice Herzmark, who saw the need 
for an idealistic brotherhood. The first pledge ceremony in February 
1915 was followed by the establishment of a chapter house, one of the 
most luxurious establishments in the nation's capital. At one time, Phi 
Alpha had chapters at nearly 30 universities, but as with many other 
fraternities, the Depression and World Wars took their toll. During the 
uncertain war years, many chapters became inactive when almost all the 
men in the chapters entered into military service. In April 1959, Phi 
Alpha Fraternity merged with Phi Sigma Delta Fraternity, creating a 
combined fraternity with 47 active chapters. In 1969-70, Phi Sigma 
Delta merged into Zeta Beta Tau.
   Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity has convened its International Convention 
100 times since the first event was held in 1906 in New York City. The 
event presents the opportunity to share Fraternity in its truest sense 
with brothers from around the world. Washington, D.C., has hosted the 
International Convention four times, in 1937, 1957, 1974 and 2014.
   Today, as a brother of Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, I join 
International President Michael (Mike) D. Cimini, Kappa (Cornell 
University) '92, and my entire Brotherhood in honoring the men of Phi 
Alpha Fraternity. We are honored to celebrate our Fraternity's 100th 
Convention in the nation's capital while honoring Phi Alpha and The 
George Washington University. I am proud to be a member of the 
distinguished Brotherhood of Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, an organization 
of men who dedicate this day and every day to fostering leadership and 
service and developing the tenets of our Credo--Intellectual Awareness, 
Social Responsibility, Integrity and Brotherly Love--in all brothers.

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