HR1026 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1026 LRB097 21347 GRL 69209 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the members of the Ainad Shriners on the occasion of the organization's 100th anniversary in 2012; and

WHEREAS, Ainad Shriners was created on May 8, 1912, with an initial membership of 105; however, an initial committee of 35 businessmen discussed the possibility of joining a new organization within the Masonic Fraternity in order to promote fun and fellowship during a meeting on April 19, 1912; by December of 1913, the group's membership had increased to 259; the group was granted a charter into Shriners International on May 13, 1913, becoming temple number 130 in the United States and the 4th of 5 temples in the State of Illinois; the organization was named "Ainad", after the Arabic word for "obstinacy", by the Imperial organization; and

WHEREAS, Thomas L. Fekete served as the first Ainad potentate (leader) of the Ainad Shriners, serving as temporary leader until the charter was issued on May 13, 1913; he then served as the Illustrious Potentate for the charter year of 1913; the Shriners met regularly at the Scottish Rite Temple at 14th and College in East St. Louis, and at numerous other locations in St. Louis and East St. Louis, from 1912 to 1923; the organization began construction on the Shrine Center in June of 1922 and finished construction by September of 1923; the building still stands at 609 St. Louis Avenue in East St. Louis; the building was dedicated on November 24, 1922 and remains the largest auditorium in the city; throughout the building's 90-year history, countless public and charitable events have been held there; and

WHEREAS, Ainad Shriners have had numerous committees to provide additional support for the activities of the growing membership, including by-laws, charitable, entertainment, hotel, membership, transportation, and special functions of the membership; the organization utilizes an open forum for the creation of initiatives, with the Potentate appointing special committees to investigate an idea or solution to an issue regarding the membership; the creation of committees to investigate and solve internal issues is still done today; and

WHEREAS, On March 18, 1924, Major Frank L. Reardon addressed Ainad Shriners on behalf of the United States Department of War, requesting the permission to use Ainad Temple as a mobilization point for infantry and artillery regiments in times of war; during World War II, the building was used as a mustering, or gathering of units, prior to departure for the European or Asian theaters for battle; incoming units would drill in the building's auditorium and basement; during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the United States Army established a communications unit at the temple; the building was also a regional headquarters for Civil Defense until the mid-1970s; and

WHEREAS, Ainad Shriners has supported local charities throughout southern Illinois; the Shriners have provided support to numerous local and national organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America, the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus, the St. Clair County Humane Society, the St. Clair County Tuberculosis Society, the United Jewish Relief Fund, and countless others; the organization's members have helped many people who have been affected by natural disasters; in 1923, the Shriners supported the newly-created Shriners Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana, which was created in response to the rapid spread of polio and other pediatric and orthopedic medical issues; and

WHEREAS, On June 1, 1924, the Ainad Shriners band, drum corps, and patrol units participated in a parade for the sole purpose of dedicating the opening of Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, formerly located off of Kingshighway in St. Louis; the units provided entertainment following the dedication ceremonies; today, 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children are located throughout North America; the hospital system provides medical care for burn victims, spinal cord injuries, cleft lip and pallet, and numerous other pediatric and orthopedic medical issues; and

WHEREAS, Today, Ainad Shriners is the ninth largest temple of 195 Shrine centers throughout the world; with a membership of approximately 4,600, Ainad is the largest of the five Shrine centers in Illinois; during the late 1970s, its membership grew to as many as 10,000 throughout Southern Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Over the past 100 years, Shriners have been active throughout Southern Illinois in parades, festivals, paper crusades, and membership ceremonials; Ainad Shriners are all Free Masons who reside in virtually every community of Southern Illinois and are active in most every type of business, profession, and field of endeavor; and

WHEREAS, The members of Ainad Shriners exemplify the application of the Masonic teachings of truth, brotherly love, helping others, and affirming that all mankind is created equal; and

WHEREAS, The Ainad Shriners will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a year of public events, including parades in Effingham and Belleville, membership drives, and circus shows in Belleville, Waterloo, Jerseyville, Olney, Salem and DuQuoin, and events at numerous festival and homecomings throughout the State; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the members of the Ainad Shriners on the occasion of the organization's 100th anniversary, thank them for their dedicated service to the people of the State of Illinois, and wish them success and happiness in their future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Ainad Shriners as a symbol of our esteem and respect.