[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 63 (Tuesday, May 4, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E839]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               150TH ANNIVERSARY OF HARMONY MASONIC LODGE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 4, 1999

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I wish to call to the attention of our 
colleagues and the American people the achievements of the Brothers of 
the Masonic Harmony Lodge #199 F.&A.M. of Sparkill, New York, on their 
150th anniversary of fraternity and service to their community. The 
Harmony Lodge has continued the Masonic tradition of promoting 
``morality in which all men agree, that is, to be good men and true.'' 
Together with the nineteen other Masonic Lodges of the Manhattan 
District, the Harmony Lodge has continued to support the charitable 
endeavors of the Masons by raising and donating millions of dollars to 
hospitals, homes for widows, the elderly, and orphans as well as 
numerous scholarship funds.
  The Harmony Lodge held its first meeting with nineteen Brothers on 
October 12, 1849, and ever since then the language of their meetings 
has always been German. The Brothers of Harmony Lodge have actively 
participated with the other Masonic Lodges of New York to raise funds 
to build the German Masonic Lodge in Manhattan, purchase land for a 
Masonic Park and Masonic home for the elderly as well as aiding in the 
foundation of two other Masonic Lodges in the state of New York. The 
brothers of the Harmony Lodge take great pride displaying German 
heritage, and do so by inviting thousands of visitors each August to 
the German Masonic Park to enjoy German culture, food and music 
entertainment in their annual ``Oompah Fest and Steer Roast.''
  The Masons, officially titled the Free and Accepted Masons, are one 
of the world's oldest and largest fraternal organizations, dating back 
to its foundation in England in the early 1700's. Throughout history 
the Masons have sought to bring men together of all race, religions and 
political ideology under the ideas of charity, equality, morality and 
service to God. Today the Masons have millions of members worldwide, 
including more than 2.5 million in the United States. They have earned 
a reputation as highly respected businessmen, ministers and 
politicians. Great men such as American statesman Benjamin Franklin, 
Composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, French philosopher Voltaire and U.S. 
President George Washington have all been Brothers in the Masonic 
order.
  My own association as a Brother with the Masons has been a great 
influence on me throughout my career and in public life. Their moral 
values and ethical code have been an immeasurable help to guide me in 
making fair and just decisions in my responsibilities as a Member of 
this chamber.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that under the leadership of Worshipful 
Master Arnold Geisler, Secretary Jack Williams and Treasurer Reinhard 
Kabitzke that the Harmony Lodge will continue its good works as a model 
organization and will continue to help those in need as well as 
continue to be an exemplary example of fraternal service to community 
for another 150 years.

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