[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 59 (Thursday, April 4, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2268-S2269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                150TH ANNIVERSARY OF SIGMA NU FRATERNITY

 Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, I am pleased to advise the Senate 
of the 150th anniversary of Sigma Nu Fraternity, a principles-based 
men's fraternal organization with more than 160 chapters on college 
campuses in the United States, approximately 12,000 current collegiate 
members, and more than 250,000 initiates in its history. This year, 
Sigma Nu celebrates the 150th anniversary of its public founding on 
January 1, 1869, at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA. 
Cadets James Frank Hopkins, James McIlvaine Riley, and Greenfield 
Quarles joined together to form Sigma Nu as a brotherhood committed to 
the principles of love, honor, and truth and in firm opposition to 
hazing. Sigma Nu Fraternity remains the only men's college fraternity 
founded in direct opposition to hazing. Its history and its mission to 
develop ethical leaders for today's society are worthy of the highest 
esteem.
  Originally founded as the Legion of Honor, Sigma Nu's central 
founding value is honor, and the concept that a man's character and 
conduct should always be governed by a high sense of honor guides all 
its work. This value is as relevant 150 years later as it was then.
  For 150 years, members of Sigma Nu have led in their respective 
communities, professions, and families. From NASA to the Pentagon, from 
the arts to the sciences, and from business to public service, there 
are few facets of American life and history in which a Sigma Nu 
initiate has not made his mark.
  When this Nation has called upon its citizen-soldiers, Sigma Nu 
initiates have answered that call. They have fought and died in every 
major conflict since the Civil War. Its members are veterans of every 
branch of the Armed Forces, including two Medal of Honor recipients. 
Sigma Nus have understood the price of freedom and been willing to make 
the ultimate sacrifice for it.

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  The 12,000 collegiate members on campuses across the country today 
serve their communities in student government, interfraternity 
councils, athletic teams, and other student organizations. Last year, 
these young future leaders of our Nation performed over 375,000 hours 
of community service and raised over $2 million for philanthropic 
causes.
  Whether it is through its award-winning ethical leadership 
development program, LEAD, or through the mentorship of more than 2,000 
volunteer advisors, Sigma Nu continues to be at the forefront of 
developing the minds, hearts, and character of its initiates, inspiring 
them to excel with the timeless value of honor.
  Today, in its 150th year, Sigma Nu Fraternity calls upon its 
initiates to renew that legacy, to reflect on the principles of its 
founders, and to commit to a strong future for this esteemed 
brotherhood. As a proud initiate of Sigma Nu Fraternity, I would like 
to congratulate the fraternity on achieving 150 years of love, honor, 
and truth and to wish it many more years to come.

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