110 HRES 1184 IH: Supporting the goals and ideals of the U.S. House of Representatives 2008-05-08 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1184 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 8, 2008 Mr. King of New York submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform RESOLUTION Supporting the goals and ideals of the Knights of Pythias.

Whereas the Pythians promote cooperation, friendship, and good will to and between all people; Whereas the Knights of Pythias is an international fraternity that was founded in Washington, DC, on February 19, 1864, by Justus H. Rathbone and embraces approximately 2,000 lodges in the United States, Canada, and France; Whereas the Knights of Pythias was the first American fraternity chartered by an Act of Congress of the United States; Whereas the primary goal of the Knights of Pythias is to promote friendship among men and to relieve suffering; Whereas the distinguishing principles of the lodges and the entire Knights of Pythias fraternity is friendship, charity, and benevolence; Whereas the order began 1 year prior to the termination of the Civil War and its early members believed that it might help to heal the wounds and allay the hatred of civil conflict; Whereas President Abraham Lincoln stated, The purposes of your organization are most wonderful; if we could but bring its spirit to all our citizenry, what a wonderful thing it would be; Whereas the Knights of Pythias seeks practical application of charitable principles to everyday life for its members; Whereas the Knights of Pythias is dedicated to the cause of universal peace and is pledged to the promotion of men of good will as the surest means of attaining it; Whereas the Knights of Pythias works with the Boy Scouts of America to assist and reward scouts to further achieve within its organization; Whereas Pythians know one way to happiness is through service to mankind; Whereas Pythians believe that friendship is an essential ingredient in life; Whereas Pythians make benevolence, kindness, generosity, and tolerance a reality in their lives; and Whereas Pythians are eager to enhance the communities in which they live: Now, therefore, be it

That the United States House of Representatives supports the goals and ideals of the Knights of Pythias.