[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 67 (Wednesday, May 22, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E876-E877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATHELSTANE LODGE #839 FREE AND 
                            ACCEPTED MASONS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 21, 2002

  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 Athelstane Lodge #839 Free and Accepted Masons of Pearl River, New 
York, on their 100th anniversary of fraternity and service to their 
community. The Athelstane Lodge has continued the Masonic tradition of 
promoting ``morality in which all men agree, that is, to be good men 
and true.''
  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

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the United States. They have earned a reputation as highly respected 
businessmen, ministers and politicians. Such distinguished men 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 my fellow 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, hopefully the Athelstane 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 
our communities for another 100 years.

                          ____________________