HR0556 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0556 LRB101 15041 MST 64106 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Stephen F. Oakley on being selected as the Grand Master of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Oakley was elected Illinois' 100th Grand Master on October 4, 2019 and is responsible for leading the 54,000 Freemasons who are members of the subordinate lodges in Illinois; he was named Sublime Degree of Master Mason in August 1986 and has been a Mason for over 33 years; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Oakley's mother lodge is East Lodge No. 504 in Fairview Heights; he served as its Worshipful Master in 1994; he is also a member of Red Bud Lodge No. 427, where he served as its Worshipful Master five times, in 2001, 2002, 2007, 2008, and 2009; he has also been chosen as an honorary member of nine lodges in Illinois; he is an advocate of Masonic education and received commissions as a Certified Lodge Instructor in 1993, as a Grand Lecturer in 2000, and as a Grand Lodge Instructor in 2004; he served as a District Deputy Grand Master from 1996 to 1998, as an Assistant Area Deputy Grand Master from 1998 to 2005, and as an Area Deputy Grand Master from 2005 to 2009; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Oakley was appointed Junior Grand Deacon in 2009; he was appointed as Senior Grand Deacon in 2011 and was elected to Junior Grand Warden in 2013 and Senior Grand Warden in 2015; he served on several Grand Lodge Committees, including the Long-Range Planning Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Illinois Masonic Children's Assistance Program (IMCAP) Board of Managers; he also serves as the Grand Representative to the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Oakley is also a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Southern Illinois; he is a past Sovereign Prince of the Cahokia Council of Princes of Jerusalem (2013 to 2014) and a past Thrice Potent Master of the St. Clair Lodge of Perfection (2017 to 2018); in 2017, he was recognized for his dedication and service as an honorary member of the Supreme Council 33°; he is also a member of the York Rite Bodies in Belleville, York Rite College, and St. Edwards Conclave Red Cross of Constantine and is an honorary member of the DeMolay International Legion of Honor; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Oakley retired in 2012 after 30 years in the chemical manufacturing industry; he has spent over 47 years building a loving family; his first priority is spending quality time with his wife, Deborah, and their daughter, Shannon; he enjoys spending time outdoors, fishing, hunting, and with target and clay shooting sports; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Stephen F. Oakley on being selected as the Grand Master of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Stephen Oakley as a symbol of our respect and esteem.