Bill Text: NY J00401 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Commending Joppa Lodge No. 55, Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons of the State of NY upon the occasion of hosting its Annual Black History Month event

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-02-07 - ADOPTED [J00401 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J00401-Introduced.html

---

Senate Resolution No. 401

BY: Senator PARKER

        COMMENDING  Joppa  Lodge  No. 55, Prince Hall Free
        and Accepted Masons of the State of  New  York  upon
        the  occasion  of  hosting  its Annual Black History
        Month event on February 25, 2023

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to  recognize  and
pay   tribute   to  those  organizations  of  high  purpose  and  worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
citizens of the State of New York; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
commend Joppa Lodge No. 55, Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons of  the
State  of New York upon the occasion of hosting its Annual Black History
Month event on Saturday, February 25, 2023, in New York, New York; and

  WHEREAS, In celebration of Black History Month, Joppa Lodge No. 55's
event will introduce diversified African American culture  to  those  in
attendance   through   ethnic  performances,  prominent  black  figures,
historical events, traditional food, and philanthropy; and

  WHEREAS, For over a century, the dedicated Masons of Joppa Lodge No.
55 have maintained  a  rich  history  rooted  in  success,  growth,  and
brotherhood;  its  dedicated  members  share  common  moral  ideals  and
esoteric values, and their  beliefs  are  based  upon  the  doctrine  of
Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth; and

  WHEREAS,  Joppa  Lodge  No. 55 was established by Brother Richard E.
Warner in 1920; the newly  formed  association  of  34  members  met  at
Lafayette  Hall  for  several  months  on Sundays, under the guidance of
Brothers Eugene Plummer and Arthur Ware, appointed by the Grand  Master,
M.W. David W. Parker; and

  WHEREAS,  On  May  29,  1920, at Ionis Temple in Brooklyn, New York,
Lodge No. 55 instituted with the following officers: Wilfred G.  Butler,
Master; Charles Jones, Senior Warden; C. Franklin Taylor, Junior Warden;
Theo  B.  Smith,  Treasurer; Robert Crutcher, Secretary; Richard Warner,
Senior Deacon; Julius Watson, Junior Deacon  and  others  to  officially
constitute  a Masonic Lodge; at this time, the association was comprised
of 62 members; and

  WHEREAS, At the Grand Lodge  Annual  Session  held  at  Mother  Zion
A.M.E.  Church No. 153 from June 1-2, 1921, the Grand Master recommended
the warranting of Joppa Lodge; and

  WHEREAS, On October 22, 1921, in compliance with the mandate of  the
Grand  Lodge,  Joppa Lodge was warranted by Grand Master David W. Parker
as No. 55 with  the  following  officers  duly  elected  and  installed:
Wilfred  G.  Butler,  Master;  John  J.  Garden,  Senior Warden; John L.
Whitner, Junior Warden; Theo B. Smith, Treasurer;  and  James  C.  Hill,
Secretary; and

  WHEREAS,  Today,  Joppa  Lodge No. 55 has over 120 Master Masons, of
which 30 are Past Masters with the most senior living Past Master  being
Brother  William  Q.  Powell;  the  Lodge  has  also produced five Grand
Masters, MW Will J. Richardson, MW Calvin  Martin,  MW  Larry  Mitchell,
James Barry Holmes, and John F. Fields; and

  WHEREAS,  The  success and growth of Joppa Lodge No. 55 was inspired
by the committed brotherhood of past and present members of  the  Lodge,
characterized  by  an  uncompromising  standard  of  excellence  and the
fraternity's  long-standing  structure  and  systems,  along  with   the
leadership  and  guidance  of  the  Past Masters and the Most Worshipful
Prince Hall Grand Lodge; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, This Legislative  Body  is  proudly  moved  to  honor  and
commend the members of Joppa Lodge No. 55, Prince Hall Free and Accepted
Masons  of  the State of New York upon the occasion of hosting its Black
History Month event to celebrate African American  culture;  and  be  it
further

  RESOLVED,  That  copies  of  this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Worshipful Master Marcus Tellis,  Senior  Warden  William
Gardenhire,  and  Junior  Warden Harry Jenkins, Jr., Joppa Lodge No. 55,
Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York.