Senate Resolution 54

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE HUMANITARIAN SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP OF GRAND MASTER AND GRAND JOSHUA MAURICE F. LUCAS ON THE OCCASION OF THE ANNUAL FOUNDER'S DAY AND HOMECOMING CELEBRATION OF THE HIRAM LODGE NO. 17 OF THE PRINCE HALL AFFILIATION IN WEST POINT, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Maurice F. Lucas, Sr., was born in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, on October 10, 1944, as the third of eight children born to his hard-working parents, Julius and Gladys Lucas; and

WHEREAS, the ethic of hard work and diligence was instilled in him by his parents on the family farm; and

WHEREAS, his wife, Carolyn, and their son, Maurice, Jr., have offered additional incentives for him to identify and to use his unique gifts; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Lucas received his elementary education in Renova, Mississippi, and he attended Junior and Senior High School at East Side High School in Cleveland, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, he furthered his education by earning the A.A. Degree from Coahoma Junior College in 1969 and the B.B.A. Degree from Delta State University in 1971, while working full time for Baxter Laboratories, from which company he retired as a Cost Analysis and Accounting Supervisor after 25 years; and

WHEREAS, he has also been self-employed as a Bookkeeper and Tax Accountant for 34 years; and

WHEREAS, he has served as the Mayor of Renova, Mississippi, for 26 years; and

WHEREAS, he has been elected to the Cleveland School District Board of Trustees for 17 years; and

WHEREAS, his record of public service also includes his appointment as a Bolivar County Hospital Medical Foundation Trustee for 14 years, service as a Board Member and Treasurer of the Bolivar County United Way for 17 years, service as a Board Member of the Bolivar County Community Action Agency (Head Start) for 8 years, service on the Board of Directors of the Industrial Development Foundation, and service on the Mississippi Public Service Commission Advisory Board; and

WHEREAS, he also has served as a member of the Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce for twenty-five years, and was the first African-American President of the agency; and

WHEREAS, he is also a member of the Mississippi Manufacturing Association and a member of the National Conference of Black Mayors; and

WHEREAS, he is a natural leader who has enhanced that ability with experience and education and whose outgoing personality and effective nature are tempered by a keen intelligence; and

WHEREAS, he is currently the Grand Master, M.W. Stringer Grand Lodge, Prince Hall Affiliated; and

WHEREAS, his devotion to the Masonic Order is demonstrated by his membership in Sunshine Lodge No. 99 F.&A.M., Naomi Court No. 558 Heroines of Jericho, Bradley Chapter No. 2 O.E.S., Greenville Consistory No. 157 33rd Degree; Alborak Temple No. 128 Shriners, Oxford Lodge No. 3570 G.U.O. of O.F., and Post No. 220 American Legion; and

WHEREAS, in the Fall of 1878, Hiram Lodge opened its doors in West Point, Mississippi, as the 17th lodge in the State of Mississippi, its purpose being to disseminate charity, promote the spirit of brotherly love, teach and encourage the idea of peace, harmony and goodwill among the people, along with loyalty to the constituted authority of state and country; and

WHEREAS, long-term cooperative projects and initiatives strengthened the lodge's service to West Point Public Schools, business and industry, the West Point and Clay County communities, the city, the district, the state and the M.W. Stringer Grand Lodge; and

WHEREAS, the legacy of great works continues with Jordan McFarland serving as Worshipful Master, in whose first year Hiram Lodge will host Grand Master Maurice F. Lucas, Sr., at the First Annual Founder's Day and Homecoming Celebration themed "Rethinking, Reclaiming, Rebuilding our Brotherhood" on Sunday, May 28, 2006, at St. Paul Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, it is with pride that we recognize the humanitarian and civic contributions of this organization and its leaders: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the humanitarian service and leadership of Grand Master and Grand Joshua Maurice F. Lucas on the occasion of the Annual Founder's Day and Homecoming Celebration of the Hiram Lodge No. 17 of the Prince Hall affiliation in West Point, Mississippi, and extend the best wishes of the Senate to this civic service organization.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Maurice Lucas and officers of the Hiram Lodge and be made available to members of the Capitol Press Corps.