[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 113 (Tuesday, July 9, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S4265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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   150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GRAND LODGE OF ANCIENT FREE AND ACCEPTED 
                           MASONS OF WYOMING

 Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and 
honor the 150th anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and 
Accepted Masons of Wyoming. This important fraternal organization, also 
known as Wyoming Masons, will celebrate the occasion during their 
annual convention on August 12, 2024, in Casper, WY.
  Freemasonry is one of the oldest fraternal organizations in the 
world. Members share a belief in ``the fatherhood of God and the 
brotherhood of mankind.'' With a shared commitment to lives of honor, 
integrity, and character, the men of Freemasonry work to better 
themselves, their communities, and the world.
  The first known masonic meeting in Wyoming took place at Independence 
Rock on July 4, 1862. Independence Rock is located on the Oregon and 
Mormon trails in central Wyoming between the cities of Casper and 
Rawlins. Twenty masons from the camped Oregon wagon trains participated 
in a masonic meeting.
  The Grand Lodge of Wyoming was established December 15, 1874, in 
Laramie City, territory of Wyoming. Four lodges with 211 members were 
represented. Edgar P. Snow was elected the first Grand Master. Today, 
Wyoming has 41 lodges with over 2100 members.
  The Grand Lodge of Wyoming is a member of the Rocky Mountain Masonic 
Conference. The lodge recognizes several Appendant and Concordant 
organizations which provide opportunities for family members to 
interact with Masonic relatives.
  These organizations include Job's Daughters International, Ancient 
and Accepted Scottish Rite, York Rite of Freemasonry, Ancient Order of 
the Mystic Shrine, National Sojourners, Order of the Eastern Star, 
Ladies' Oriental Shrine, Daughters of the Nile, Allied Masonic Degrees, 
and Royal Order of Scotland.
  The Grand Lodge of Wyoming is led by its 2023-2024 elected officers: 
Grand Master Thomas G. Needham, Jackson, WY; Deputy Grand Master Scott 
Kitchner, Rock Springs, WY; Senior Grand Warden Gregory K. Shiek, 
Sheridan, WY; Junior Grand Warden Ken Thorpe, Jr., Sheridan, WY; Grand 
Treasurer John F. Nunley III, Cheyenne, WY; and Grand Secretary Beynon 
St. John, Lander, WY.
  Those serving through appointments include Senior Grand Deacon E. Ray 
Leeman, Jr., Aladdin, WY; Junior Grand Deacon James K. Wamsley, Rock 
Springs, WY; Junior Grand Steward Bryan J. Compton, Jackson, WY; Junior 
Grand Steward Calvin E Van Zee, Laramie, WY; Grand Lecturer Weston G. 
Hubele, Mills, WY; Grand Chaplain Preston Goulette, Pinedale, WY; Grand 
Orator Thomas Jefferson Rodgers, Sheridan, WY; Grand Marshal Stephen H. 
Fowler, Evanston, WY; Grand Librarian Gary D. Skillern, Cheyenne, WY; 
Grand Historian Mark S. Young PGM, Gillette, WY; Grand Organist Tim 
Forbis, Cheyenne, WY; and Grand Tyler David N. Lankford, Pinedale, WY.
  District lecturers are Bret D. Steger, Pine Bluffs, WY; David G. 
Hammond, Laramie, WY; Stephen H. Fowler, Evanston, WY; Kraig A. Kobert, 
Jackson, WY; Toby Errickson, Lander, WY; Christopher G. Neubauer, 
Casper, WY; Jeffrey D. Thomas, Guernsey, WY; Jon C. Rowe, Gillette, WY; 
Thomas Jefferson Rodgers, Sheridan, WY; Eric R. Kay, Thermopolis, WY; 
and Bryan G. Baird, Cowley, WY.
  Special appointees are Masonic Service Association Coordinator Shawn 
Covert, Bar Nunn, WY; Masonic Renewal Representative Weston Hubele, 
Mills, WY; George Washington Masonic National Memorial Representative 
Roy C. Kinsey, Jackson, WY; and Grand Lodge Webmaster R. Aaron Roybal, 
Cheyenne, WY.
  It is an honor to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Grand Lodge 
of Wyoming. I send my best wishes to all Wyoming masons as you pave the 
way for future generations.

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