[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2500]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         FREEMASONS CONFERENCE

 Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, today I wish to join grand master 
Gerald E. Piepiora and the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted 
Masons of Maryland in welcoming the 2014 Conference of Grand Masters of 
Masons in North America, which will be convening in Baltimore from 
Sunday, February 15, to Tuesday, February 18. This annual meeting is 
the largest gathering of grand masters in the world and the first time 
they have come to Baltimore. This delegation of grand masters 
represents 2 million Freemasons from all 50 States; Washington, DC; 
Puerto Rico; the Provinces of Canada; and the United Mexican States. In 
addition, a delegation of grand masters representing Freemasons from 
around the world also will be attending the conference.
  Throughout their history, Freemasons--the oldest and largest 
fraternity in the world--have dedicated their lives to cultivating good 
moral character both within themselves and in their communities. The 
Masonic fraternity is dedicated to caring for those less fortunate and 
to giving back to the community, contributing well over three quarters 
of a billion dollars annually to philanthropic causes in North America 
alone.
  Maryland Masons have carried on this tradition since 1787 by serving 
their communities with local scholarship programs, student assistance, 
volunteerism, educational support, and other charitable activities. 
Maryland Masons make important contributions to the quality of life of 
Marylanders at every stage of life, including the Maryland Child 
Identification Program that provides free identification and protection 
against the problem of missing children; free childhood language 
disorder clinics; transportation to regional Shriners Hospitals for 
children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and 
cleft lip and palate; and retirement housing and continuing care for 
Masons and their families.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in welcoming this distinguished group 
of international guests to Maryland and in wishing the masons of 
Maryland continued success in their pursuit of fraternity, brotherly 
love, relief, and truth.

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