SR0471 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0471 LRB103 34264 LAW 64090 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to congratulate the Ainad Shriners of East St. Louis on the occasion of Ainad Temple serving as its headquarters for the past 100 years; and

WHEREAS, The Ainad Shriners broke ground on Ainad Temple on June 3, 1922; the structure was designed with a Moorish theme by renowned architect William B. Ittner of St. Louis and Ainad Noble Albert B. Frankel of East St. Louis; and

WHEREAS, Ainad Temple was erected not only as the headquarters for Ainad Shriners throughout all of Southern Illinois but also in response to a growing need in the region for a public venue for conventions, sporting events, and social events within the community; and

WHEREAS, Ainad Temple was dedicated on October 26, 1923, with a ceremony and parade that gathered thousands in attendance, including Ainad members, Masonic affiliated bodies, their families, elected officials, and community leaders, and the day was celebrated as a holiday within the City of East St. Louis; and

WHEREAS, In its 100-year history, Ainad Temple has hosted a variety of activities, including conventions, band performances and concerts, charitable and fundraising events, banquets, bond rallies, competitions, beauty contests, dances, car shows, expositions, funerals, governmental agency and military events, political and union rallies, circuses, home shows, minstrels, religious events, TV and radio shows, movie showings, sporting events, vaccinations, and many fraternal events; and

WHEREAS, Ainad Temple remains the headquarters for Ainad Shriners today, with the organization's jurisdiction including the majority of Southern Illinois south of Springfield and boasting over 3,260 members, the largest membership of the five temples located within Illinois and the fourth largest of the 201 temples located around the world; and

WHEREAS, Ainad Temple continues to serve as an anchor for the community and the neighborhood due to the facility remaining one of the few structures in the downtown area of East St. Louis to be in good condition and well maintained; the facility is regularly leased to local organizations for various events and activities in addition to continuing to serve the needs of the Ainad Shriners; and

WHEREAS,The Ainad Shriners will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Ainad Temple with a rededication ceremony and a celebration onsite on September 30, 2023; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Ainad Shriners of East St. Louis on Ainad Temple serving as its headquarters for the past 100 years, and we wish the organization continued success in the next century; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Ainad Shriners as an expression of our esteem and respect.