Senate Resolution No. 1332

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMENDING Mt. Zion chapter No. 59 upon the
occasion of hosting its Annual Five Point Tea on
September 24, 2023

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those organizations of high purpose and worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
citizens of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Mt. Zion chapter No. 59 upon the occasion of hosting its Annual
Five Point Tea on Sunday, September 24, 2023; and

WHEREAS, In 1947, Mount Zion Lodge, a member of the Hiram Grand
Lodge of New York, sought information on becoming affiliated with the
Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York; having
applied and conformed to the requirements of the Prince Hall Grand
Lodge, on October 15, 1948, with Grand Master Louis Fair presiding and
the Officers of the Lodge present, the members of the Lodge were
warranted Mount Zion Lodge No. 90; and

WHEREAS, During that same period, there were female relatives of the
members of Mount Zion Lodge who were members of a Mount Zion Chapter, as
Eastern Star Chapter, under the jurisdiction of the United Grand Chapter
of New York, the female auxiliary of the Hiram Grand Lodge; with Mount
Zion Lodge having become a part of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New
York, 14 members of that Mount Zion Chapter applied to Eureka Grand
Chapter to be admitted as a Chapter; and

WHEREAS, On June 5, 1951, during the second administration of Worthy
Grand Matron, Sister Frances E. Francis and Worthy Grand Patron Bro.
Charles C. Quander, those females were chartered as Mount Zion chapter
No. 59, a subordinate Chapter of Eureka Grand Chapter; and

WHEREAS, The first Worthy Matron of Mount Zion chapter No. 59 was
Sister Lillie Abernathy and the first Worthy Patron was Brother James
Evangelist Fraser; in its 72 year history, 61 Sisters served the Chapter
as its Worthy Matron and 16 Brothers served as its Worthy Patron; and

WHEREAS, At the 114th Annual Grand Session of the Eureka Grand
Session, which was held at the Rye Town Hilton Hotel, on June 1, 2009,
Sister Julia F. Holland was elected to serve the Grand Chapter as its
Grand Worthy Matron; and

WHEREAS, In the appendant bodies of the Prince Hall Affiliates
bodies in the State of New York, in the years 1994 to 2005, Sister
Bobbie O'Garro served as the Most Royal Grand Commandress of the Prince
Hall Grand Court, Order of Cyrene; other members of Mount Zion chapter
No. 59 who served as the Most Royal Grand Commandress of the Prince Hall
Grand Court Order of Cyrene were Maxine Colden, Laura Green and Hazel
Searles; and

WHEREAS, In the New York State Grand Assembly, Order of the Golden
Circle, Sister Minnie L. Hall and Dorothy Williams served the
Jurisdiction as its State Loyal Lady Rulers; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Mt. Zion chapter No. 59 is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its leaders and its members, whose
involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive
commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of
excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization and the
community it serves; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proudly moved to honor and commend
the members of the Mt. Zion chapter No. 59, past and present, who have
labored so conscientiously to secure and improve the quality of life for
the community it serves; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Mt. Zion chapter No. 59 upon the occasion of hosting its Annual
Five Point Tea on Sunday, September 24, 2023; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the members of Mt. Zion chapter No. 59.