[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 112 (Tuesday, August 3, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE ORDER OF THE NOBLE COMPANIONS OF THE SWAN

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                            HON. BOB FRANKS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 3, 1999

  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, in these troubled times of 
misguided values, when good is often called evil and evil called good, 
our nation cries out for examples of genuine virtue from which our 
citizens may take inspiration. That is why I am proud that my home 
State of New Jersey is the headquarters of the Order of the Noble 
Companions of the Swan; an international order of Christian chivalry 
dedicated to perpetuating traditional virtues in the modern world in 
memory of those Soldiers of the Cross who embarked upon the First 
Crusade with Godfrey de Bouillon to free the Holy Sepulcher.
  Under the leadership of their Grand master, William Anthony Maszer of 
North Brunswick, New Jersey, who is a hereditary prince of Alabona-
Ostrogojsk and Garama, the Order of the Noble Companions of the Swan 
has been raised to the high and noble estate of knighthood amongst 
Christian chivalry. The members of the Order have sworn solemn knightly 
vows to bring chivalric virtues into the modern world by preferring 
honor to worldly wealth, by being just and faithful in words and deeds 
and by serving as guarantors of the weak and humble through their 
private acts of mercy and charity.
  The exemplary efforts of the Order of the Noble Companions of the 
Swan have brought them international recognition from the Russian 
College of Heraldry as well as the Diccionario de Ordens de Caballeria 
y Corporaciones Nobilares in the Kingdom of Spain. Closer to home they 
have been honored and formally recognized by a Resolution of the New 
Jersey State Senate and count our Governor, Christine Todd Whitman, 
among their well wishers. Governor Whitman has observed that ``the 
principles of chivalry are as relevant today as ever before'' and 
expressed her hope that the Order's ``efforts to preserve the notion of 
chivalry are rewarded by a renewed commitment to these values 
throughout society.''
  Mr. Speaker, I join with Governor Whitman in the fervent desire that 
the knightly works of the Order of the Noble Companions of the Swan 
shall continue to serve as an example of virtue in a modern world 
desperately in need of a moral compass. I would call upon all of our 
citizens to aspire toward the traditional virtues embodied in this 
noble Order.

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