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HONORING THE SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 150TH ANNIVERSARY -- (House of Representatives - June 13, 2005)
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Mr. KLINE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 163) honoring the Sigma Chi Fraternity on the occasion of its 150th Anniversary, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 163
Whereas the Sigma Chi Fraternity was founded in 1855 by 7 young men at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in order to establish ``an association for the development of the nobler powers of the mind, the finer feelings of the heart, and for the promotion of friendship and congeniality of feeling'';
Whereas the Founders of the Fraternity believed that admission to the Fraternity should include men of good character and fair ability with ambitious purposes, congenial dispositions, good morals, a high sense of honor, and a deep sense of personal responsibility;
Whereas for 150 years, the Sigma Chi Fraternity has played an integral role in the positive development in the character and education of hundreds of thousands of young men;
Whereas the brothers of Sigma Chi, being of different talents, temperaments, and convictions, have shared countless friendships and a common belief in the founding ideals of the Fraternity;
Whereas the Sigma Chi Fraternity experience has served as a foundation for post-collegiate success and achievement in all fields of endeavor, from the sciences to education to business to professional athletics to public service;
Whereas the Sigma Chi Fraternity has 202,600 active brothers in 219 active chapters at colleges and universities in 2 countries, making it one of the most highly respected and well-regarded national fraternities in the world; and
Whereas Sigma Chi brothers continue to enrich and contribute to the quality of life in their communities by volunteering innumerable hours of service to nonprofit activities and organizations locally and, at the national level, to the Children's Miracle Network, an alliance of 165 hospitals and healthcare facilities across the United States and Canada that provide needy children with critical healthcare services: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress recognizes and honors the Sigma Chi Fraternity on its 150-year anniversary; commends its Founders and all Sigma Chi brothers, past and present, for their bond of friendship, common ideals and beliefs, and service to community; and expresses its best wishes to this most respected and cherished of national fraternities for continued success and growth.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida). Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline).
GENERAL LEAVE
Mr. KLINE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 163.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Minnesota?
There was no objection.
Mr. KLINE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 163 offered by my colleague, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gerlach). House Concurrent Resolution 163 honors the Sigma Chi Fraternity on the occasion of its 150th anniversary.
The Sigma Chi Fraternity was founded in 1855 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, by seven young men that wanted to establish, and I quote, ``an association for the development of the nobler powers of the mind, the finer feelings of the heart, and for the promotion of friendship and congeniality of feeling,'' close quote.
Today the Sigma Chi Fraternity continues to thrive. Its membership has grown to 202,600 active brothers in 219 chapters at colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. Its members continue to enrich and contribute to the quality of life in their communities by volunteering countless hours of service to nonprofit activities and organizations at the national and local levels.
The members of Sigma Chi exemplify the characteristics that the founders of the fraternity believed they should have for admission to the fraternity, good character and fair ability with ambitious purposes, congenial disposition, good morals, a high sense of honor and a deep sense of personal responsibility.
The Sigma Chi Fraternity has also played an integral role in the positive development in the character and education of these young men that have served as a foundation for success and achievements in all fields of endeavor, from the sciences to education to business to professional athletes and to public service.
Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize and honor the Sigma Chi Fraternity on the celebration of its 150th anniversary and commend the fraternity and its members for its service and achievements over the years.
I urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 163.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, it is an absolute privilege and thrill for me to take this opportunity to cosponsor this resolution.
Madam Speaker, I am a Sigma Chi. My father was a Sigma Chi. My next younger brother is a Sigma Chi. And each of our three sons are Sigma Chis. So this moment, when we honor the fraternity of our choice on the occasion of the 150th anniversary, it has added meaning to me and to us.
I also wish to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gerlach) for introducing this resolution, which is cosponsored by other Sigma Chis, the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr), the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley), the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Pickering), the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Schwarz), the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster), as well as me.
I also wish to thank the Education and Workforce Committee and the House leaderships for bringing this resolution to the House floor so very quickly.
Sigma Chi Fraternity was established by its seven founders on commencement day at Miami University June 28, 1855. These seven young men broke away from the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity to form ``an association for the development of the nobler powers of the mind, the finer feelings of the heart, and for the promotion of friendship and congeniality of feeling.''
In 1951, I had the opportunity to pledge this fraternity at the University of Missouri at Columbia, and from that time on I have been aware of the many outstanding members of our fraternity through the years, people like Andy Grabau, people like John Wayne, Larry McMullen, Ed Matheny, Herbert Shouse Jones, John Alden Tower, Governor James Blair and so many, many others.
Sigma Chi currently has 202,600 active brothers in 219 active chapters at colleges and universities in two countries.
It is one of the most highly respected and well-regarded national fraternities in the world. It also encompasses not just our country, but the country of Canada.
Sigma Chi brothers continue to enrich and contribute to the quality of life in their communities.
Perhaps tie something in regard to the House of Representatives to the people working together with their colleagues in which they learn of good character and fair ability and ambitious purposes, congenial dispositions, good morals, a high sense of honor and a deep sense of personal responsibility. All of this has added to our country.
The history of Sigma Chi is long and interesting. Being founded in 1855 at Oxford, Ohio, it went through the War Between the States and went through the First World War where 103 brothers of the fraternity lost their lives and gave the full measure of devotion to World War I. It also went through the Second World War where so many members of the fraternity fought, some who died and some who were missing. One who received the Medal of Honor, a Captain Maurice Britt from Arkansas received such an honor.
On a more personal level, the chapter to which I belong at the University of Missouri in Columbia was founded on September 26, 1896. At that time one of the founders, a former brigadier general in the Union Army, Benjamin Piatt Runkle, who, by the way, is buried over here at Arlington Cemetery, gave a speech to that crowd and to those new fraternity members. In that speech he spoke to them by saying, you are the offspring of the grandest civilization the world has ever seen. High places are vacant, and men filled with a fraternal spirit must take them. Go forward, faithful, patient, courageous and obedient, ever remembering that the hope of the Nation is in her young men, and that behind the great unknown stands God keeping watch over his own. And what Benjamin Piatt Runkle said on that day in September 1896 in Columbia, Missouri, is just as true today.
So it is a real privilege and honor for me to cosponsor and represent this side of the aisle in honoring the Sigma Chi Fraternity on the occasion of its 150th anniversary, which will be celebrated on the 24th and 25th of this month in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Sigma Chi Fraternity: A Historical Perspective
1855--Sigma Chi Fraternity is founded at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
1861--During the Civil War, 265 of the 432 total Sigma Chi membership (That's 60%) fight in the conflict. Of this number, 147 were in the Union forces, and 118 were with the Confederacy.
1861--``ln Hoc Signo Vinces,'' a secret motto since 1856, becomes the official public motto.
1870--The eighth Grand Chapter, held in Philadelphia, adopts blue and gold as the fraternity's colors. These colors are now standardized as Blue and Old Gold.
1881--The Fraternity's first magazine, ``The Sigma Chi'' is established under the supervision of the Theta Chapter at Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania. In 1926 it became ``The magazine of Sigma Chi.''
1882--Delegates of the 14th Grand Chapter, held in Chicago, elect John S. McMillim, DePauw 1867, as the first Grand Consul.
1893--Honorary Sigma Chi, President Grover Cleveland, is initiated on January 26. He is the only Sigma Chi to have held the office of President of the United States.
1911--``The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi'' song was written in June for the 25th Anniversary Reunion of Alpha Pi Chapter at Albion College, Michigan. Byron D. Stokes, 1913, wrote the words in one afternoon in class. He then
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1914--The Fraternity adds 103 Brothers to its Fraternity Gold Star Honor Roll for giving their last full measure of devotion during World War I.
1922--After 67 years as a national organization, Sigma Chi becomes international when it installs the Beta Omega Chapter at the University of Toronto on April 22.
1929--L.G. Balfour, Indiana 1907, establishes the Balfour Award, the highest undergraduate honor in the fraternity. The annual award recognizes the most outstanding graduating senior of each undergraduate chapter, province and International Fraternity of that Academic Year.
1929--Past Grand Consul George Ade, Purdue 1887, writes ``The Sigma Chi Creed''
1935--The Fraternity creates the Significant Sig Award. This award would be presented at Grand Chapter to alumni whose achievements brought honor and prestige to the Fraternity. Seven Medals were presented at the 42nd Grand Chapter held in Chicago.
1942--Several thousand Sigs, stationed all over the world, serve in the Armed Forces during World War II. Congressional Medal of Honor winner Captain Maurice L. Britt, Arkansas, 1941, becomes the war's most decorated United States Officer. During the War the Fraternity lost 724 members, seven times as many as it lost in World War 1.
1948--Sigma Chi commences the Order of Constantine, the fraternity's highest honor, which is bestowed upon alumni members who have devoted long and distinguished service to Sigma Chi
1955--The Fraternity celebrates its Centennial in June 28 in Oxford, Ohio, as a part of the 50th Grand Chapter, which met in Cincinnati.
1971--The Grand Chapter marks the climax and resolution of the nearly 15 years of internal strife in the Fraternity over the proposed initiation of minority groups. Grand Chapter delegates voted to remove the restrictive passages in the Fraternity's Governing Laws, validating earlier actions of the Executive Committee and granting active chapters increased autonomy in membership selection.
1977--The Fraternity recorded its 150,000 initiate.
2001--Eleven Sigma Chis die in the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States.
2005--Grand Consul Lee Beauchamp announces the Fraternity's zero tolerance policy for hazing, alcohol abuse, and substance abuse. The Executive Committee approves a new statement of Position on Academic Performance. Among other provisions, it requires members to attain a GPA of 2.5 out of 4.0 (or the equivalent), or a GPA that is above the campus' all-men's average, whichever is lower.
2005--Sigma Chi celebrates its 150th birthday with a grand celebration in Cincinnati.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. KLINE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I will be very brief. I just want to add my congratulations to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) on being a proud member of this fraternity. And it is exciting, I am sure, to see a father-to-son tradition established there. So I extend my congratulations to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) and all my colleagues who are fortunate enough to be a member of this very great fraternity.
I urge all my colleagues to support this resolution.
- [Begin Insert]
Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I am proud to rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 163, honoring the Sigma Chi Fraternity on its 150th anniversary.
Like hundreds of thousands of men across the country I am honored to be a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
Although I was a Sigma Chi at the University of Maryland, I share a strong bond with my brothers across the country and around the world, including my fellow Sigma Chi men in Congress. We are connected by the shared tenants of our fraternal organization and we try to live our life by the ``Jordan Standard''--the Cornerstone of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
Sigma Chi played an important role in my personal development and provided me with relationships that will last a lifetime. These experiences are not unlike the experiences that millions of other men and women have had with their respective fraternities and sororities.
Although sometimes ridiculed, the Greek system on the whole--without question--has made countless positive contributions to society.
Many of our Nation's leaders, from those in business to those in public service, are members of fraternities or sororities, including our current President. The benefits to our communities from these individuals--whose first leadership and service experiences were often through their involvement with the Greek System--are immeasurable.
Furthermore, beyond planting the seeds of leadership, fraternities and sororities compel their members to conduct themselves in accordance to the highest standards of honor, morality, and academic excellence.
Since its inception in 1855 at Miami University in Oxford, OH, Sigma Chi has helped young boys develop into strong, well-rounded, Sigma Chi men. I am proud to be a part of this fine organization and I congratulate Sigma Chi on its 150th year anniversary. May its good deeds and reputation of excellence endure for the next 150 years.
I ask my colleagues to join me and the other original cosponsors, Representatives Gerlach, Farr, Hyde, Oxley, Pickering, Schwarz, Shuster, and Skelton, in support of this legislation.
- [End Insert]
Mr. KLINE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 136, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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