[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 81 (Thursday, June 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
    NO. 1 ELKS LODGE IN NEW YORK STATE IS KINDERHOOK LODGE NO. 2530

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                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 1994

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to be a member of the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and on July 3, Kinderhook 
Lodge No. 2530, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, will 
participate in the national ritual contest at the grand lodge 
convention in Chicago.
  To get to this point, Kinderhook Lodge No. 2530 had to earn the 
designation as ``No. 1'' lodge in New York State after competition with 
7 other lodges in the north Hudson district and 12 other lodges in New 
York State. It is no small feat, indeed.
  Elks lodges have been known for their fraternal spirit and civic-
mindedness from the very beginning. Also unique are the distinctive Elk 
observances, headed by the elaborate initiation ceremony designed to 
impress and inspire the new initiate.
  Charity, justice, brotherly love, and fidelity, those are the 
principles of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and those 
are the lessons imparted during the initiation ceremony. That is why 
the ceremony is conducted with such reverence, and why each lodge 
strives to be the best in its rendition of the rite.
  The ritual contests test the skills of lodge officers to memorize and 
act out the role they assume in the ritual. Each officer individually 
and the team as a whole are judged for impressiveness, word accuracy, 
pronunciation, and deportment.
  Mr. Speaker, after the district and State competition, Kinderhook 
Lodge No. 2530 emerged as the best in New York State. I am extremely 
proud of them, and I would ask all Members to join me, both in 
congratulating them and to wish them good luck at the grand lodge 
convention.

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