[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 181 (Wednesday, November 13, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H8814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CELEBRATING SIGMA GAMMA RHO FOUNDERS' DAY

  (Ms. KELLY of Illinois asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Sigma 
Gamma Rho Sorority's Founders' Day.
  Founded November 12, 1922, Sigma Gamma Rho has been empowering women 
to give greater service to their communities and help bring about 
greater progress in our society for nearly 100 years.
  We were first established at Butler University in Indianapolis by 
seven illustrious founders, all educators. Today, we boast more than 
100,000 members from more than 500 chapters across the United States, 
Canada, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Korea, and Dubai.
  Throughout our history, we have undertaken work on many causes, 
including Act Against AIDS; Operation BigBookBag; the March of Dimes; 
St. Jude; and Swim 1922, a partnership with USA Swimming to increase 
diversity and inclusion in the sport while reducing drownings in our 
community.
  I am proud to be the third Sigma Gamma Rho elected to Congress, 
alongside Congresswomen Lindy Boggs and Corrine Brown.
  Our membership also includes Alice Dunnigan, the first Black female 
journalist accredited to cover the White House and Congress; and Mary 
T. Washington, the first Black female CPA.
  I want to give a special shout-out to our International Grand 
Basileus, Deborah Catchings-Smith.
  Happy Founders' Day, sorors. Greater service, greater progress.

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