[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 63 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 63

       Supporting the goals and ideals of the Knights of Pythias.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 14, 2009

  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
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the goals and 
ideals of the Knights of Pythias.
                                 <all>