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2010 SESSION
WHEREAS, Black Freemasonry was established in the United States with the induction of "Prince Hall and fourteen other free Black men into Lodge No. 441, Irish Constitution, attached to the 38th Regiment of Foot, British Army Garrisoned at Castle William (now Fort Independence) Boston Harbor on March 6, 1775"; and
WHEREAS, upon the departure of the British from Boston, Prince Hall, the recognized Father of Black Freemasonry, and other Black men with whom he was inducted into masonry were granted permission to meet as African Lodge #1 and enjoy limited privileges as Masons; and
WHEREAS, Black Freemasonry in America has grown from 33 Masons on the rolls of African Lodge #1 on January 14, 1779, to over 300,000 Masons in 4,500 lodges worldwide, consisting of 45 independent jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, members of Virginia's Black Freemasonry have contributed to the political, cultural, and economic life of the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, bonded by fraternal loyalty and mutual support, Prince Hall Masons of Virginia demonstrate a sense of civic duty and participation in many charitable activities and organizations, among them Adopt-A-School, Operation Thanksgiving, Operation Christmas Child, Veterans Day visitation, Food Bank donations, Meals On Wheels, American Diabetes Association Walk-A-Thon, and Avalon, a center for women and children; and
WHEREAS, the generosity of Prince Hall Masons of Virginia has benefited the American Heart Association, Camp Holiday Trails, the Virginia NAACP State Conference, the Baptist Children's Home, the Knights of Pythagoras youth organization, sickle cell anemia and prostate cancer research, and many other local and statewide community organizations and benevolent endeavors; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and appropriate to recognize and commend the Prince Hall Masons of Virginia for their outstanding work and service to the community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Prince Hall Masons of Virginia; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Larry D. Christian, Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Prince Hall Masons of Virginia, as an expression of the General Assembly's respect and appreciation for their contributions and service to the Commonwealth.