[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 57 (Thursday, April 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E456-E457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING GEORGE WASHINGTON LODGE NO. 143, FREE AND ACCEPTED 
                    MASONS, ON ITS 200TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 2016

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate George 
Washington Lodge No. 143, Free and Accepted Masons, of Chambersburg, 
PA, on its 200th anniversary.
   Similar to the Borough of Chambersburg, the George Washington 
Masonic Lodge No.143 has a history dating back nearly to our country's 
founding. Having been resurrected by a group of committed Masons who 
sent a petition to Grand Lodge for a warrant to institute George 
Washington Lodge No. 143, the lodge has maintained this historic 
presence since 1816. A point of local pride, the lodge remains the 
oldest Masonic building in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
   Also, as many of us know, it was its association with the Free and 
Accepted Masons that prevented the lodge from being destroyed during 
the burning of Chambersburg in 1864. Having withstood that assault and 
standing the test of time, George Washington Lodge No. 143 was listed 
on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Prior to that 
achievement, a small addition was added to the rear of the building at 
the time of its 150th anniversary, in 1966.
   In more ways than one George Washington Lodge No. 143 represents the 
story of our country and I am proud to commemorate the 200th year of 
its institution.

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