HR1365 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1365 LRB095 21531 KXB 51311 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the members of Masonic Lodge #260 in Mattoon as they celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Lodge; and

WHEREAS, Mattoon Masonic Lodge #260 was chartered on October 6, 1858; on October 8, 1873 a second lodge was formed in Mattoon, the Circle Lodge #707; on April 30, 1896, ballots were cast and the two lodges were consolidated, keeping the name Mattoon Masonic Lodge #260; and

WHEREAS, Over the years the Mattoon Lodge has met in many different locations; the lodge purchased property at 1421 Charleston Avenue on February 6, 1928 to erect a building; the first meeting there was held on November 27, 1929; and

WHEREAS, A new lodge was built in 1991 at 116 North 1st Street in Mattoon ; and

WHEREAS, The Mattoon Lodge is involved in many aspects of the community, including: donating to the local food bank, donating to the Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS), donating to the Salvation Army, and donating to the local fire department for special needs; in addition, the Lodge supports the annual blood drive, the Cal Ripken Junior Baseball Tournament, the High School JROTC program, the High School Pride of the Greenwave Band Program, the High School Wavette Dance Team, and the High School Academic Bowl Team; and

WHEREAS, The Mattoon Lodge has given out seven scholarships over the last four years to Mattoon High School Seniors; and it holds an annual CHIP program used for child identification; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the members of Mattoon Masonic Lodge #260 as they celebrate the anniversary with a rededication of the Lodge on November 8, 2008; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Worshipful Master Terry A. Leffler as a symbol of our respect.