House Resolution 95

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE HIRAM LODGE NO.17 ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 128TH ANNIVERSARY AND ITS FIRST ANNUAL FOUNDER'S DAY AND HOMECOMING CELEBRATION ON MARCH 28, 2006.

WHEREAS, Sunday, March 26, 2006, will commemorate the Hiram Lodge No. 17's First Annual Founder's Day and Homecoming Celebration in the organization's 128th year of existence; and

WHEREAS, in the fall of 1878, Hiram Lodge opened its doors in West Point, Mississippi, opening as the seventeenth lodge in the State of Mississippi, with the intended purpose of disseminating charity, promoting the spirit of brotherly love, teaching and encouraging the ideas of peace, harmony and goodwill among people and loyalty to our state and country; and

WHEREAS, though some of the historical record is bleak, research and oral interpretations have allowed some records to be collected, such as the 54th and 78th Communications of the Most Worshipful Stringer Grand Lodge Hiram in the years of 1929 and 1953 respectively; and

WHEREAS, from old minute books, pertinent information was collected giving the last account of the last 47 years' activities and Worshipful Masters; and

WHEREAS, the legacy of great works continues with current Worshipful Master, Jordan McFarland, leading lodge members in their pursuit of excellence through more community based programs; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the excellent efforts of such esteemed organizations as the Hiram Lodge No. 17, whose works of promoting scholarship, etiquette and community enrichment are monumental in the West Point, Mississippi, community:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Hiram Lodge No. 17 on the occasion of its First Annual Founder's Day and Homecoming Celebration in the organization's 128th year of existence and wish continued success in all its future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Worshipful Master Jordan McFarland and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.