| 1 | 1 | | SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 564 |
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| 2 | 2 | | WHEREAS, The Texas Grand Lodge of the Order of the Sons of |
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| 3 | 3 | | Hermann is marking a significant milestone in its history with |
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| 4 | 4 | | the celebration of its 125th anniversary on March 27, 2015; and |
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| 5 | 5 | | WHEREAS, Considered to be the oldest fraternal benefit |
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| 6 | 6 | | society of its kind in the nation, the Order of the Sons of |
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| 7 | 7 | | Hermann traces its origins to New York City, where it was founded |
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| 8 | 8 | | in 1840 by a group of men of German descent; with the passing |
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| 9 | 9 | | decades, additional lodges were organized around the country in |
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| 10 | 10 | | places with substantial German populations, including Harmonia |
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| 11 | 11 | | Lodge in San Antonio in 1861; the Texas Grand Lodge was formed in |
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| 12 | 12 | | 1890 and at the time was made up of Harmonia Lodge and lodges in |
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| 13 | 13 | | Austin, Houston, Temple, Waco, Taylor, La Grange, and Brenham; by |
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| 14 | 14 | | 1920, the society's membership in Texas was far greater than that |
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| 15 | 15 | | in any other state, and the decision was made to become an |
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| 16 | 16 | | autonomous group; and |
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| 17 | 17 | | WHEREAS, The order has continued to deliver on its mission |
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| 18 | 18 | | to provide members with opportunities for personal enrichment |
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| 19 | 19 | | through community service and fraternal activities, and its |
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| 20 | 20 | | ranks now include men and women of many ancestries; it offers |
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| 21 | 21 | | excellent insurance, annuities, and commercial loans to support |
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| 22 | 22 | | the financial security of its members and their families, summer |
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| 23 | 23 | | camps and dance classes are available for junior members, and a |
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| 24 | 24 | | retirement community for seniors is also sponsored; and |
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| 25 | 25 | | WHEREAS, Built on the principles of friendship, love, and |
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| 26 | 26 | | loyalty, Texas Grand Lodge has supported and empowered its |
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| 27 | 27 | | members, who in turn contribute meaningfully to the society |
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| 28 | 28 | | around them, and this historic occasion presents a fitting |
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| 29 | 29 | | opportunity to honor the organization; now, therefore, be it |
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| 30 | 30 | | RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th |
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| 31 | 31 | | Legislature, hereby commemorate the 125th anniversary of the |
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| 32 | 32 | | Texas Grand Lodge of the Order of the Sons of Hermann and extend |
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| 33 | 33 | | to all those associated with the order sincere best wishes for a |
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| 34 | 34 | | joyous and memorable anniversary celebration; and, be it further |
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| 35 | 35 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared |
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| 36 | 36 | | for the lodge as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. |
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| 37 | 37 | | Menéndez |
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| 38 | 38 | | ________________________________ |
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| 39 | 39 | | President of the Senate |
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| 40 | 40 | | I hereby certify that the |
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| 41 | 41 | | above Resolution was adopted by |
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| 42 | 42 | | the Senate on April 15, 2015. |
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| 43 | 43 | | ________________________________ |
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| 44 | 44 | | Secretary of the Senate |
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| 45 | 45 | | ________________________________ |
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| 46 | 46 | | Member, Texas Senate |
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