Pennsylvania HR 424: A Resolution designating March 25, 2026, as "Prince Hall Mason Day at the Capitol" in Pennsylvania in recognition of The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2964
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 424
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY J. HARRIS, NEILSON, N. NELSON, PARKER, PIELLI,
REICHARD, PROBST, MAYES, KHAN AND MEHAFFIE, MARCH 5, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, MARCH 5, 2026
A RESOLUTION
Designating March 25, 2026, as "Prince Hall Mason Day at the
Capitol" in Pennsylvania in recognition of The Most
Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives applauds The Most
Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania for its
endeavors that have served the welfare of the residents of this
Commonwealth on issues vital to the history and future of the
Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United
States of America, it is important to recognize the history and
tradition of Prince Hall Freemasonry dating back to 1775, when
Prince Hall and 14 other free Black men began their journey to
become masons, eventually forming African Lodge No. 459, the
first African-American Lodge; and
WHEREAS, The first warranted Lodge of Free and Accepted
Masons among men of color in Pennsylvania was established by the
Right Worshipful Grand Master Prince Hall of the African Grand
Lodge of Massachusetts on September 22, 1797, in Philadelphia,
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known as African Lodge No. 459 of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Mother Bethel AME Church is deeply intertwined with
Prince Hall Masonry, as its founder, Richard Allen, was one of
the first officers of the African Lodge in Philadelphia, having
been installed by Prince Hall himself in 1797; and
WHEREAS, On December 27, 1815, the brethren erected the
"First African Independent Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted
Masons, for and in the Jurisdiction of North America," electing
Rev. Absalom Jones as its first Right Worshipful Grand Master;
and
WHEREAS, Richard Allen, who founded the African Methodist
Episcopal Church, and Rev. Absalom Jones, the first African
American ordained as an Episcopal priest, were both integral in
establishing the Free African Society and other independent
Black institutions that provided a blueprint for Black self-
determination during the Revolutionary era; and
WHEREAS, Over the past 200 years, the legacy of the Prince
Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania is cemented by the profound
contributions of its members to the American story, including
figures such as Octavius V. Catto, a martyr for voting rights
and education, the Honorable Raymond Pace Alexander, a legal
titan and the first African-American judge on the Pennsylvania
Courts of Common Pleas, and countless other jurists, educators,
veterans and civic leaders whose names are etched in the bedrock
of Pennsylvania's progress; and
WHEREAS, Prince Hall Free Masons have served the Commonwealth
with lodges in communities spanning from Erie to Pittsburgh,
Harrisburg to Coatesville and Philadelphia and Chester; and
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives is moved to honor the
Prince Hall Masons of Pennsylvania, who have labored
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conscientiously to improve the quality of life for the
communities they serve; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of the Most Worshipful Grand
Master Timothy J. Cager, the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand
Lodge of Pennsylvania continues to perform amazing charitable
works and serves as a source of unity, peace, hope and love; and
WHEREAS, The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of
Pennsylvania is currently comprised of approximately 4,000
members across the Commonwealth, in addition to its female
auxiliary, Deborah Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star,
Inc., Prince Hall Adopted, led by Grand Worthy Matron Kelly J.
Sheppard; and
WHEREAS, Lodges throughout this Commonwealth continue to
flourish through their members' commitment to education,
community service and philanthropy; and
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives is proud to welcome
Prince Hall Masons from across this Commonwealth to the State
Capitol; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate March
25, 2026, as "Prince Hall Mason Day at the Capitol" in
Pennsylvania in recognition of The Most Worshipful Prince Hall
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
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