[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 30 (Thursday, February 15, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E152-E153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PI LAMBDA LAMBDA CHAPTER OF THE 
                     OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 15, 2024

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 20th 
Anniversary of the Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi 
Fraternity, Inc. The Chapter includes the communities of Prince William 
County, the City of Manassas, the City of Manassas Park, and Stafford 
County.
  Coinciding with the local chapter's 20th Anniversary is the 
international organization's 112th Anniversary. The Omega Psi Phi 
Fraternity, Inc. was founded on November 17, 1911, by three Howard 
University undergraduate students, Edgar A. Love, Oscar J. Cooper, and 
Frank Coleman, along with their faculty adviser, Professor Ernest E. 
Just. Together, they laid the foundation of an organization based on 
the core principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift. 
From the initials of the Greek phrase meaning, ``friendship is 
essential to the soul'', the name Omega Psi Phi was derived. For 112 
years, the membership has upheld a strong tradition of friendship and 
civic engagement.
  The chapter was chartered on January 24, 2004, by the fraternity's 
Supreme Council led by the 37th Grand Basileus, Dr. George H. Grace and 
the Third District Representative, Brother Curtis Baylor. The 29 
Charter Members of the chapter are Brother Crispin A. Abad, Brother 
Honney L. Barner, Brother David Bell, Brother Gene Bryson, Brother 
Willie D. Camp, Brother Byron L. Cherry, Brother Leonard Daniels, 
Brother Phillip Ferguson, Brother Anthony M. Fields, Sr., Brother 
Walter Gooley, Brother Gregory L. Hamlett, Brother George M. Hampton, 
Brother Darryl K. Hairston, Brother James Harris, Brother Steven B. 
Holmes, Brother William H. Hundley, Brother Alexander King, Brother 
Johnny Q. Ledbetter, Brother Bennie J. Lotlie, Brother Herbert 
Mitchell, Brother Bernard V. Oliphant, Brother George M. Parker, Sr., 
Brother Jordon C. Pope, Brother Gregory Reid, Brother Carl T. Ross, 
Brother Andre Smith, Brother Arthur A. Sobers, Brother David Stevenson, 
and Brother Algie Walker, Jr.
  The chapter members are expected to participate in social action 
programs and activities that will uplift their communities. Some of the 
activities under the umbrella of social action include voter 
registration, education, Assault on Illiteracy, Habitat for Humanity, 
mentoring, and participation in fundraisers for charities such as 
American Diabetes Association, United Way, Sickle Cell Anemia, etc. 
Additionally, the chapter offers 5 different scholarship opportunities 
for students.
  The chapter leadership over the 20 years has been past Chapter 
Basilei: Brother Bernard V. Oliphant, Brother Byron L. Cherry, Brother 
Harvey L. Woodson, Jr., Brother George M. Parker, Sr., Brother Trevor 
J. Hamilton, Brother Tony B. Bullock, Brother David Holliday, Brother 
Raymond Bell, Brother Eddie Stephens, Jr., Brother Jeffrey Allen, and 
the current Chapter Basileus, Brother Charles Hunter.

[[Page E153]]

  The chapter has won many fraternity and civic awards most notably the 
following International Awards:
  2005-2006 International: Social Action Chapter of the Year
  2006-2007 International: Social Action Chapter of the Year
  2010-2011 International: Social Action Large Graduate Chapter of the 
Year
  2010-2011 International: Graduate Large Chapter of the Year
  2011-2012 International: Graduate Large Chapter of the Year
  2014-2015 International: Graduate Large Chapter of the Year
  2019-2020 International: St Jude & Omega--The Power of Giving 2020 
Top Chapter Fund Raiser
  2020-2021 International: St Jude & Omega--The Power of Giving 2021 
Top Chapter Fund Raiser
  2021-2022 International: St Jude & Omega--The Power of Giving 2022 
Top Chapter Fund Raiser
  2022-2023 International: Social Action Chapter of the Year
  2022-2023 International: St Jude & Omega--The Power of Giving 2023 
Top Chapter Fund Raiser
  The Pi Lambda Lambda's 20th Anniversary Celebration was held on 
Saturday, January 20, 2024, in Dumfries, VA. The committee chaired by 
Brother Trevor J. Hamilton and assisted by Brother Daryl Furman, 
Brother James Lloyd, Brother James Rowe, Brother Derwin Babineaux, 
Brother Randall Webb, and Brother Rowland Webb, Sr. has planned a 
wonderful event.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 
Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc for their 
20th Anniversary. It is civic groups like the Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter 
that define the character of our communities and give measure to our 
generosity of spirit.

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