[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 97 (Friday, June 20, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1044]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF ASBURY PARK-WALL ELKS LODGE 
                                NO. 128

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                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 20, 2014

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Asbury 
Park-Wall Elks Lodge No. 128 on its 125th anniversary. As its officers 
and members gather to celebrate this milestone, I would like to join 
with them in honoring its history as one of the oldest Elks lodges in 
the United States.
  The Asbury Park-Wall Elks Lodge was originated as the Asbury Park 
Lodge of Elks number 128 on June 28, 1889. It is one of the five first 
lodges in New Jersey, among Newark, Patterson, Hoboken and Trenton. The 
lodge was housed in the Mikado Building on Cookman Avenue in Asbury 
Park and consisted of 42 members in its first year.
  In its early years, the Asbury Park Lodge was led by several Exalted 
Rulers. Its first was John K. Parker, followed by John F. Hawkins, 
Samuel A. Patterson, and Harry J. Rockafeller. In 1893, Exalted Ruler 
William K. Devereux, who was also District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler 
for New Jersey at the time, presided over the lodge when it surrendered 
its charter due to decreasing membership among the limited population.
  Fourteen years later, interest in the lodge rebounded and it was 
reorganized on January 11, 1907 with a new dispensation. At the time, 
it was numbered 1047, but was later given the original number 128 
again. Today, the Asbury Park-Wall Lodge No. 128 is one of 35 lodges in 
New Jersey and is part of the Southern District. Exalted Ruler Mary Ann 
Smith currently leads a membership of over 200.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, please join me in congratulating Asbury 
Park-Wall Elks Lodge on its 125th anniversary.

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