Senate Resolution No. 1655

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMENDING the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand
Lodge of New York upon the occasion of hosting its
Vincent E. Best Mid-Year Assembly January 26-28,
2024

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 the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York upon the
occasion of hosting its Vincent E. Best Mid-Year Assembly January 26-28,
2024; and

WHEREAS, The dedicated Masons of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall
Grand Lodge of New York are men with a social conscience and a
charitable perspective, who are also known as Freemasons; they are part
of a fraternal organization that shares common moral ideals and esoteric
values which are based on the doctrine of Brotherly Love, Relief and
Truth; and

WHEREAS, The Vincent E. Best Mid-Year Assembly has been a featured
event of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York since
1972 when it was introduced by Most Worshipful Grand Master, Vincent E.
Best who served from 1971-1973; the original purpose of this event was
to refresh from labor, at which time the Grand Master would deliver his
Mid-Year address, and for enjoyment a Grand Master's Ball was held; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, the Vincent E. Best Mid-Year Assembly has
expanded to include more activities such as training workshops, health
screening, and census education seminars, and has become one of the most
anticipated events of the year; and

WHEREAS, The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York has
truly demonstrated continuous service to the residents and communities
which it serves; and

WHEREAS, Established by a group of like-minded young men, the club
received its charter in 1812 from the African Lodge of Boston and later
received its Grand Lodge title in 1848 after decades of outside
oppression, division, and change; the Freemasons of this Grand Lodge are
a standing testament to resilience, strength, and unity through a common
sense of brotherhood; and

WHEREAS, The Lodge was initially to be called the African Lodge of
New York, but later changed to Boyer Lodge of New York in honor of Jean
Pierre Boyer who black Masons admired and respected for his significant
role in Haiti's war of liberation from France; this New York Lodge was
an active participant in the Underground Railroad, guiding enslaved
persons to freedom and has deep-rooted history in abolition movements;
and


WHEREAS, The success of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge
of New York is in direct correlation to the efforts of the Most
Worshipful Walter C. King, Jr., 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 Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York,
Free and Accepted Masons, 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 the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York, Free
and Accepted Masons of the State of New York upon the occasion of
hosting its Vincent E. Best Mid-Year Assembly January 26-28, 2024; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Most Worshipful Grand Master Gregory R. Smith Jr. of
the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of
the State of New York.