SJ0025 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0025 LRB099 12129 GRL 34832 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate and the House of Representatives recognize the Ansar Shriners' 100th anniversary on July 13, 2015; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Ansar Shriners was chartered on July 13, 1915 by action of the Annual Session of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (now Shriners International) and became the 136th chapter of the fraternity; and

WHEREAS, The Ansar Shriners of Springfield is one of 5 Shrine Centers in Illinois; it is the 17th largest of the 193 Shrine Centers throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, The members of Ansar Shriners exemplify the Masonic tenets of Faith, Hope, and Charity; and

WHEREAS, Ansar is taken after the Arabic word meaning "Those Who Give Aid", which Ansar Nobles do through their support of the 19 Shriners Hospitals for Children, which provide orthopedic care, and 3 hospitals that provide pediatric burn treatment; treatment is provided at the hospitals regardless of the families' ability to pay for services; and

WHEREAS, Over the past 100 years, Shriners have been active throughout central Illinois in parades, festivals, paper crusades, and membership initiation ceremonies; and

WHEREAS, The Ansar Shriners will celebrate the organization's 100th anniversary with a year of public events, including parades, membership initiations, the Shrine Circus, and events at numerous festivals and homecomings throughout the State, concluding with a 100th year celebration on July 18, 2015 in Springfield; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate July 13, 2015 as Ansar Shriners of Springfield Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we recognize the success and dedicated service of the Ansar Shriners on the occasion of the organization's 100th anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Ansar Shriners of Springfield.