[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 171 (Tuesday, October 16, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1415]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF SANGER MASONIC LODGE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 16, 2018

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sanger Masonic 
Lodge for one-hundred and twenty-five years of service in their 
community.
  Sanger Masonic Lodge was established soon after the founding of the 
City of Sanger in California. Supported by the expansion of the 
nation's railroad system, Sanger quickly transformed into a thriving 
community and attracted a wide variety of industries and individuals. 
As the city grew, so did the need for social functions. Many of 
Sanger's male citizens were members of Masonic lodges in other parts of 
country and quickly realized there were enough Masons in the city to 
consider forming their own lodge. Their charter was issued on October 
11, 1893, officially authorizing the group to become Sanger Masonic 
Lodge, No. 316 under the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of 
California. While they met in various locations in the early years, 
Sanger Masonic Lodge found its permanent home in 1932 in the city's 
historic Downtown. They have remained a vital part of Sanger's success 
ever since.
  Seventy-one active members strong, Sanger Masonic Lodge supports 
numerous community-service initiatives. They have donated tens of 
thousands of dollars to organizations including Sanger High School, the 
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, and various non-profits. Sanger 
Masonic Lodge also invests their time in homeless outreach efforts and 
provides yard services to senior citizens free of charge. Sanger 
Masonic Lodge has additionally demonstrated a commitment to our active-
duty service members. They have cooked meals for units departing for 
combat zones and financially supported military Christmas parties.
  Sanger Masonic Lodge is also known for their Child ID programs 
throughout the County of Fresno. These programs allow parents the 
opportunity to create a kit of identifying materials for their child, 
free of charge. The kit contains items including a fingerprint card, 
physical description, and DNA sample to provide critical information 
for law enforcement if a child goes missing. Fifteen years since their 
creation, Child ID programs have been used by over fifteen-thousand 
families.
  After more than a century in existence, Sanger Masonic Lodge has 
become a foundational institution for the City of Sanger. Their passion 
for their community is demonstrated through the countless hours of 
service and fundraising they have freely given. While the city and 
nation have drastically changed since 1893, Sanger Masonic Lodge has 
remained a consistent endorser for the community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of 
Representatives to join me in commending Sanger Masonic Lodge for one-
hundred and twenty-five years of service and wishing them further 
success in their future.

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