[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 3, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 STATEMENT ON ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR

                                 ______


                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 3, 1995
  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to call attention to the 125th 
anniversary of the Order of the Eastern Star, which is being celebrated 
at the organization's annual convention in Atlantic City, NJ, today. 
This is an important organization that has done much for our Nation and 
deserves our recognition.
  The Order of the Eastern Star is associated with the Order of Free 
and Accepted Masons and membership is open to Master Masons, their 
wives, daughters, mothers, widows and sisters. The precise beginnings 
of the order are not known, but records indicate that a similar 
organization existed in France during the 18th century. The order was 
introduced in the United States by Robert Morris, a LaGrange, KY., 
Mason, teacher, poet, attorney, and minister who wrote the first ritual 
in 1850 and published it in 1865 as The Rosary of the Eastern Star. The 
General Grand Chapter, which has jurisdiction over chapters in the 
United States and Canada, was founded in 1876 and is headquartered here 
in Washington.
  The order is dedicated to serving people in need, to social enjoyment 
and promotion of civic interests. Among other activities, it offers 
scholarships to needy students, and maintains homes both for aged 
members and orphaned children of members, and aids in research into 
diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and heart disease.
  The Order of the Eastern Star is no small organization. There are 3 
million members worldwide; 2.5 million of them in the General Grand 
Chapter. It is the largest women's fraternal organization in the world. 
I feel a particularly close connection because my own mother, Mrs. 
Margaret Scafati, has been a member for 55 years and served as worthy 
district deputy in 1978.
  The Order of the Eastern Star has provided spiritual guidance and 
tangible aid to millions throughout its 125-year history. I 
congratulate the Order of the Eastern Star on its first 125 years and 
wish it another 125 years of equal success.


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