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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to recognize the 150th anniversary of the 
4founding of Virginia Masonic Lodge #544 Ancient Free & Accepted 
5Masons in 2017; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Virginia Masonic Lodge #544 was formally 
7organized on April 3, 1867, and its charter was issued on 
8October 1, 1867; its current building opened in 1983; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Gustave F. Hillig, a Civil War veteran, was 
10elected as the first Worshipful Master and served in the 
11position a total of 12 times; Robert H. Mann was the 
12second-longest serving Worshipful Master with a total of 11 
13terms; and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, Lodge members have served as mayors, aldermen, 
15city attorneys, and in the judiciary; some have served in other 
16public offices, including county clerk, county board member, 
17state legislator, and Congress; they have served in every 
18branch of the United States military; and
  
 
19    WHEREAS, Lodge members support orphanages, scholarships, 
20and families in need; members are strong supporters of 
21education; all three cornerstones for Virginia's high schools 
 
 
HR0185- 2 -LRB100 11648 MST 22476 r

1were laid by Masons, most recently on June 7, 2014; and
  
 
2    WHEREAS, Lodge members exemplify the Masonic Mission: 
3"Freemasonry aims to promote
Friendship, Morality, and 
4Brotherly Love among its members. It is, by definition, a 
5fraternity;
comprised of men from every race, religion, 
6opinion, and background who are brought
together as Brothers to 
7develop and strengthen the bonds of friendship."; therefore, be 
8it
  
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
10HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
11recognize the 150th anniversary of the founding of Virginia 
12Masonic Lodge #544 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons in 2017, and 
13we wish them many more successful years; and be it further
  
 
14    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
15presented to the members of Virginia Masonic Lodge #544.