Bill Text: IL HR0556 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulates Stephen F. Oakley on being selected as the Grand Master of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-10-29 - Resolution Adopted [HR0556 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-HR0556-Introduced.html

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HR0556 LRB101 15041 MST 64106 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives wish to congratulate Stephen F. Oakley on being
selected as the Grand Master of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge
of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois;
and
WHEREAS, Stephen Oakley was elected Illinois' 100th Grand
Master on October 4, 2019 and is responsible for leading the
54,000 Freemasons who are members of the subordinate lodges in
Illinois; he was named Sublime Degree of Master Mason in August
1986 and has been a Mason for over 33 years; and
WHEREAS, Stephen Oakley's mother lodge is East Lodge No.
504 in Fairview Heights; he served as its Worshipful Master in
1994; he is also a member of Red Bud Lodge No. 427, where he
served as its Worshipful Master five times, in 2001, 2002,
2007, 2008, and 2009; he has also been chosen as an honorary
member of nine lodges in Illinois; he is an advocate of Masonic
education and received commissions as a Certified Lodge
Instructor in 1993, as a Grand Lecturer in 2000, and as a Grand
Lodge Instructor in 2004; he served as a District Deputy Grand
Master from 1996 to 1998, as an Assistant Area Deputy Grand
Master from 1998 to 2005, and as an Area Deputy Grand Master
from 2005 to 2009; and

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WHEREAS, Stephen Oakley was appointed Junior Grand Deacon
in 2009; he was appointed as Senior Grand Deacon in 2011 and
was elected to Junior Grand Warden in 2013 and Senior Grand
Warden in 2015; he served on several Grand Lodge Committees,
including the Long-Range Planning Committee, the Finance
Committee, and the Illinois Masonic Children's Assistance
Program (IMCAP) Board of Managers; he also serves as the Grand
Representative to the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma; and
WHEREAS, Stephen Oakley is also a member of the Ancient
Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Southern Illinois; he is a
past Sovereign Prince of the Cahokia Council of Princes of
Jerusalem (2013 to 2014) and a past Thrice Potent Master of the
St. Clair Lodge of Perfection (2017 to 2018); in 2017, he was
recognized for his dedication and service as an honorary member
of the Supreme Council 33°; he is also a member of the York
Rite Bodies in Belleville, York Rite College, and St. Edwards
Conclave Red Cross of Constantine and is an honorary member of
the DeMolay International Legion of Honor; and
WHEREAS, Stephen Oakley retired in 2012 after 30 years in
the chemical manufacturing industry; he has spent over 47 years
building a loving family; his first priority is spending
quality time with his wife, Deborah, and their daughter,
Shannon; he enjoys spending time outdoors, fishing, hunting,

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and with target and clay shooting sports; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we congratulate Stephen F. Oakley on being selected as the
Grand Master of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free
and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to Stephen Oakley as a symbol of our respect and
esteem.