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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 564
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WHEREAS, The Texas Grand Lodge of the Order of the Sons of |
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Hermann is marking a significant milestone in its history with |
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the celebration of its 125th anniversary on March 27, 2015; and |
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WHEREAS, Considered to be the oldest fraternal benefit |
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society of its kind in the nation, the Order of the Sons of |
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Hermann traces its origins to New York City, where it was founded |
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in 1840 by a group of men of German descent; with the passing |
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decades, additional lodges were organized around the country in |
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places with substantial German populations, including Harmonia |
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Lodge in San Antonio in 1861; the Texas Grand Lodge was formed in |
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1890 and at the time was made up of Harmonia Lodge and lodges in |
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Austin, Houston, Temple, Waco, Taylor, La Grange, and Brenham; by |
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1920, the society's membership in Texas was far greater than that |
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in any other state, and the decision was made to become an |
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autonomous group; and |
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WHEREAS, The order has continued to deliver on its mission |
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to provide members with opportunities for personal enrichment |
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through community service and fraternal activities, and its |
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ranks now include men and women of many ancestries; it offers |
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excellent insurance, annuities, and commercial loans to support |
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the financial security of its members and their families, summer |
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camps and dance classes are available for junior members, and a |
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retirement community for seniors is also sponsored; and |
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WHEREAS, Built on the principles of friendship, love, and |
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loyalty, Texas Grand Lodge has supported and empowered its |
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members, who in turn contribute meaningfully to the society |
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around them, and this historic occasion presents a fitting |
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opportunity to honor the organization; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th |
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Legislature, hereby commemorate the 125th anniversary of the |
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Texas Grand Lodge of the Order of the Sons of Hermann and extend |
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to all those associated with the order sincere best wishes for a |
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joyous and memorable anniversary celebration; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared |
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for the lodge as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. |
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Menéndez |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on April 15, 2015. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |