[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5235]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATION OF THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LEWISVILLE MASONIC LODGE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2007

  Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the 
Lewisville Masonic Lodge's 150th Anniversary, which will be on March 
10, 2007. It is with great pleasure that I am able to join the 
Lewisville community in recognizing this milestone.
  On January 23, 1857, the first Masonic lodge was chartered in Denton 
County under the name Denton Lodge Number 201, in honor of John Denton, 
a Free Mason. After purchasing and clearing land, the Freemasons used 
logs and their own labor to erect the first lodge. By the early 1870s, 
the area became quickly populated due to the railroad access, and the 
Lodge was moved closer to Lewisville, and the name was changed to 
Lewisville Lodge #201 in 1890.
  Over the years, the Lodge was stationed in a few different locations 
and went through many renovations and changes. The Lodge went through 
good times as well as tough times; however, the members' strength and 
devotion to the brotherhood and the community kept the Masonry alive. 
The current Masonic Lodge, completed in 1981, is the product of the 
compassion and dedication in which the Free Masons provide not only to 
their fellow Brethren, but also to the Lewisville community.
  The 150th Anniversary celebration will involve the entire Lewisville 
community. The Event will be held at the Celebration Grand Ballroom in 
the heart of Lewisville and will include numerous activities that will 
largely benefit the Lewisville Independent School District with 
scholarship possibilities for students. There will also be a 
presentation of financial support from the proceeds of the 2006 ``Race 
for the Children,'' a local fun-run to raise money for contribution to 
the Lewisville School District. In addition to the activities, local 
civic and political leaders, as well as Donny Broughton, the Grand 
Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas, will be attending the anniversary 
celebration.
  It is with great pride that I stand here today and honor the 150th 
Anniversary of the Lewisville Masonic Lodge for their dedication and 
continuing support of the Lewisville School District and the entire 
community. I look forward to participating in the celebration.

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