SR0860 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0860 LRB103 39965 LAW 71133 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to congratulate John C. Ellis Lodge #17, Free & Accepted Masons of the Illinois Prince Hall Freemasonry on the occasion of its 150th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, Prince Hall Freemasonry is the oldest recognized and continually active fraternal organization founded by African Americans in the United States; the fraternity was designed to make good men better through service to mankind, and members, or masons, serve many communities across the nation today in order to invest in a better tomorrow; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Prince Hall Freemasonry is recognized as a pillar for perpetual improvement in communities throughout the State, promoting a way of life that binds like-minded men in a worldwide brotherhood that transcends all religious, ethnic, cultural, social, and educational differences; and

WHEREAS, John C. Ellis Lodge #17, originally known as Decatur Lodge #17, was established in Decatur on July 18, 1874; the lodge holds the distinction of being the only lodge in the State that has had four duly elected grand masters for the State of Illinois and its jurisdiction, and they were the Most Worshipful Brothers James J. Hollinger, Dr. John C. Ellis, Dr. F. C. Rogan, and James E. Gavin; and

WHEREAS, John C. Ellis Lodge #17's namesake comes from the Most Worshipful Brother Dr. John C. Ellis, the first African American medical doctor in Decatur who was also the longest-serving grand master of the State and its jurisdiction, serving for 20 years from 1924 to 1944; the lodge was renamed in honor of his dedication to the Decatur community and his commitment to masonry in January 1966; and

WHEREAS, John C. Ellis Lodge #17 will celebrate its 150th anniversary in the summer of 2024; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate John C. Ellis Lodge #17, Free & Accepted Masons of the Illinois Prince Hall Freemasonry on its 150th anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to John C. Ellis Lodge #17 as an expression of our esteem and respect.