THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY KILLION, KIRKLAND, ADOLPH, BEAR, BEYER, BRENNAN, CREIGHTON, DiGIROLAMO, GEORGE, GINGRICH, HELM, HENNESSEY, HESS, HOUGHTON, MAJOR, MANDERINO, McILVAINE SMITH, MILLARD, MURT, MUSTIO, PARKER, PASHINSKI, PAYNE, PHILLIPS, QUINN, REICHLEY, ROSS, SANTONI, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, SWANGER, VITALI, VULAKOVICH, WATSON, WHEATLEY AND CLYMER, FEBRUARY 9, 2009

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, FEBRUARY 9, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Congratulating Cheyney University of Pennsylvania on its 172-

year tradition of providing access, opportunity and academic

excellence for African Americans, and honoring distinguished

alumnus Octavius Valentine Catto by designating February 10,

2009, as "Cheyney University and Octavius Valentine Catto

Day" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Cheyney University's educators have left a profound

and lasting legacy throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,

the nation and the world; and

WHEREAS, Octavius Valentine Catto, born on February 22, 1839,

attended the Institute for Colored Youth (Cheyney University's

forerunner) from 1854 to 1858, graduating first in his class;

and

WHEREAS, Catto was only 20 years old when he was appointed

professor of both English and Mathematics at the Institute for

Colored Youth in 1859; and

WHEREAS, Catto was elected Corresponding Secretary of the

Pennsylvania Equal Rights League in 1864; and

WHEREAS, One year later, he served as vice president of the

State Convention of Colored People in Harrisburg; and

WHEREAS, Catto fought to desegregate Philadelphia's transit

system and helped establish Philadelphia as a major hub of Negro

league baseball through the Pythian Baseball Club of

Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Catto worked with Frederick Douglass and the Union

League to recruit black men to join the Army's colored troops to

defend the Union in the Civil War; and

WHEREAS, He spoke eloquently and tirelessly in support of the

15th amendment which, when passed in 1870, gave black men the

basic right to vote; and

WHEREAS, Catto spent the last day of his life appealing to

the Mayor of Philadelphia to send troops on election day to

protect black voters who were facing intimidation and violence,

only to himself be shot three times and killed; and

WHEREAS, Octavius Valentine Catto has left his indelible mark

on our Commonwealth as an educator, orator, advocate for justice

and civil rights and as a defender of a United States; therefore

be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend and

congratulate Cheyney University for its lasting contributions to

the rich cultural fabric of Pennsylvania, the United States and,

indeed, the world; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize and

honor the contributions of distinguished Cheyney University

alumnus Octavius Valentine Catto for his significant

contributions to civil rights and black history by declaring

that February 10, 2009, be designated as "Cheyney University and

Octavius Valentine Catto Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to

the Council of Trustees of Cheyney University, 1837 University

Circle, P.O. Box 200, Cheyney, PA 19319 and to the Board of

Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education,

2986 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110.