Bro. Chris Rice,Epsilon Psi Sigma Chapter
Las Vegas, Nevada
Bruhs,
Yesterday, (March 19th) I had the pleasure of attending a small Democrat rally held in Las Vegas where the keynote speaker was Congressmen and Brother, John Lewis. Brothers, It was a day I will never forget. The stories, allegories, and words of Bro. Lewis were very inspiring and I learned quite a bit about the sacrifice this Brother made to make a difference in our nation.
Bro. Lewis was arrested 40 times and was beaten to unconsciousness several, but he pressed on because of his passion in the movement. He had friends that were killed and beaten, but he pressed on. At the age of 23, he was a part of "The Big Six", a group of influential civil rights leaders in the 60's. This group consisted of Dr. Martin Luther King, Hon Bro. A. Phillip Randolph and others. This Brother has pressed on. In cooperation with Bro. Hosa Hill, Bro. Randolph, and others he helped organize the March on Washington.
As a senior member of congress, he now sits on the most powerful committee in Washington, The Ways and Means Committee. This son of a sharecropper, farmer, student, Freedom Rider, Civil Rights Activist, and Congressman, embodies the spirit of Phi Beta Sigma. As I listened to the Brother and learned of his sacrifices, I asked myself the question, "Have I truly made the commitment to my community, to my nation, to my fraternity that I pledged to make." We all hear and even share those pledge stories about how hard it was crossing those burning sands. But yet for some of us we have yet to answer the call of Sigma. I am sure none pledge as hard as Bro. Lewis in his fight for the rights of all Americans. This Brother continues to press on and not rest on his laurels and wait for the next person to come through and pick up the slack.
I encourage all brothers to keep a watchful eye and an open ear and support Bro. Lewis if he comes in your area. Bro. Lewis is one of our living treasures, please listen to the Brother speak and offer your
hospitality while he is in your area, it is what Phi Beta Sigma is all about.
Another speaker was Brother Joe Neal - current NV State Senator and candidate for Governer of NV. Bro. Neal shared with the audience of 40-50 people his involvment in Phi Beta Sigma and he acknowledged both Bro. Lewis and myself as his frat brothers during his speech. (There were several college students in the audience and I hope the association will make an impct on them). here is Bro. Neal's website please take the time to visit it and show your support. http://www.Neal98.org After being called a long shot, the latest poll shows Bro. Neal only 1 point behind the Republican candidate.
With a rejuvenated spirit and passion, I will press on....
G.O.M.A.B.
Bro. Chris Rice
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity
Epsilon Psi Sigma Chapter
Sigma Beta Club Advisor
cjrice@bigfoot.com
Jack Haywood Lodge #6 F&AM-PHA
