HR1421 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1421 LRB096 23838 KXB 43225 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the Sumner Masonic Lodge #334 on the occasion of its Sesquicentennial anniversary; and

WHEREAS, The Sumner Masonic Lodge #334 was chartered as a lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons by the Grand Lodge of Illinois in October of 1860; and

WHEREAS, The mission of Freemasonry aims to promote Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love among its members; it is, by definition, a fraternity comprised of men from every race, religion, opinion, and background who are brought together as Brothers to develop and strengthen the bonds of friendship; and

WHEREAS, The Sumner Masonic Lodge has a long standing tradition of serving their community through various acts of beneficence; they continue this tradition through a network of charitable programs with a primary focus on promoting education, reducing substance abuse, and aiding children and senior citizens; and

WHEREAS, The Grand Lodge of Illinois comprises nearly 600 lodges and over 70,000 Masons, of which the Sumner Lodge has the youngest average age per membership; and

WHEREAS, As part of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, Sumner Lodge joins in providing the sole financial support for two Illinois Masonic Children's Homes that have been in existence for over 120 years; the Children's Home provides a safe and nurturing environment for children ages 4 through 16 years who are unable to care for themselves due to various family or home conditions; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois CHIP program, sponsored by the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois, is held by experts as the "premier child identification program" currently offered in the State of Illinois; the Freemasons of Illinois hold and fund the entire cost of identification workshops for families all around the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The Sumner Masonic Lodge is a local sponsor of six Red Cross Blood Drives per year, collecting an average of 28 to 40 units of blood per drive; collectively, Masons are one of the largest groups of blood donors in the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The Sumner Masonic Lodge also adopted a local Red Hill High School student to help him obtain the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America; the Masons helped him accomplish his mission of fundraising to provide tombstones for unmarked graves; and

WHEREAS, Today the lodge is thriving with ongoing fundraising events, over 125 members, and the same kind of strong brotherhood that makes masonry the greatest fraternity in the world; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the past, present, and future members of the Sumner Masonic Lodge #334 on its Sesquicentennial anniversary celebration; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Sumner Masonic Lodge #334 as a symbol of our esteem and respect.