SR0860LRB103 39965 LAW 71133 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to 
3congratulate John C. Ellis Lodge #17, Free & Accepted Masons 
4of the Illinois Prince Hall Freemasonry on the occasion of its 
5150th anniversary; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Prince Hall Freemasonry is the oldest recognized 
7and continually active fraternal organization founded by 
8African Americans in the United States; the fraternity was 
9designed to make good men better through service to mankind, 
10and members, or masons, serve many communities across the 
11nation today in order to invest in a better tomorrow; and
 
12    WHEREAS, The Illinois Prince Hall Freemasonry is 
13recognized as a pillar for perpetual improvement in 
14communities throughout the State, promoting a way of life that 
15binds like-minded men in a worldwide brotherhood that 
16transcends all religious, ethnic, cultural, social, and 
17educational differences; and
 
18    WHEREAS, John C. Ellis Lodge #17, originally known as 
19Decatur Lodge #17, was established in Decatur on July 18, 
201874; the lodge holds the distinction of being the only lodge 
21in the State that has had four duly elected grand masters for 
22the State of Illinois and its jurisdiction, and they were the 
 
 
SR0860- 2 -LRB103 39965 LAW 71133 r

1Most Worshipful Brothers James J. Hollinger, Dr. John C. 
2Ellis, Dr. F. C. Rogan, and James E. Gavin; and
 
3    WHEREAS, John C. Ellis Lodge #17's namesake comes from the 
4Most Worshipful Brother Dr. John C. Ellis, the first African 
5American medical doctor in Decatur who was also the 
6longest-serving grand master of the State and its 
7jurisdiction, serving for 20 years from 1924 to 1944; the 
8lodge was renamed in honor of his dedication to the Decatur 
9community and his commitment to masonry in January 1966; and
 
10    WHEREAS, John C. Ellis Lodge #17 will celebrate its 150th 
11anniversary in the summer of 2024; therefore, be it
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL 
13ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate John 
14C. Ellis Lodge #17, Free & Accepted Masons of the Illinois 
15Prince Hall Freemasonry on its 150th anniversary; and be it 
16further
 
17    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
18presented to John C. Ellis Lodge #17 as an expression of our 
19esteem and respect.