[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 166 (Friday, October 5, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1367-E1368]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF OSWEGO ELKS LODGE NO. 271

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN KATKO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 5, 2018

  Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Oswego 
Elks Lodge No. 271, an American fraternity that is commemorating its 
125th anniversary in Central New York.
  The Oswego Elks Lodge No. 271 was founded in 1893 with an inaugural 
initiation class of 30 members. The following year, the lodge received 
its official charter at the annual Grand Lodge Convention. When the 
lodge opened its new home in 1900, the group was the only civic or 
fraternal organization in Oswego that owned its meeting place. The 
Oswego Elks Lodge No. 271 would continue to convene at this building 
until the group purchased its current home in 1922, where they have 
held their meetings and events ever since.
  Since its inception, the Oswego Elks Lodge has found itself at the 
center of the Elks organization in New York State. In 1932, member 
James H. Macklin was installed as State President at that year's state 
convention in Rochester. Member Daniel J. Capella would later be 
installed as State President in 1987. Still an active member in the Elk 
community today, Capella was named a member of the Government Relations 
Committee at the national convention in San Antonio, Texas earlier this 
year.
  Throughout its 125 year history, the Lodge has provided a number of 
valuable services to the Oswego community. Each year, the fraternity 
hosts annual Soccer and Hoop Shoot contests for youth as well as a 
number of different dinners and dances. A participant in the Elks 
National Foundation Scholarships program, the Lodge has worked to give 
generous amounts of funding to deserving recipients each year. In 
addition, the group delivers supplies to the Syracuse VA Hospital, as 
well as the Oswego VA Clinic, and uses its Disabled American Veterans 
van to help transport veterans to and from appointments.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in 
celebrating the Oswego Elks Lodge's 125 years of service to Oswego and 
the greater community of Central New York. As one of the region's 
leading civic and social fraternities, the Lodge deserves 
acknowledgement and praise for its countless years of charitable 
service.

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