Bill Text: NY J02708 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Senate Resolution 2708 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows on April 26, 2019

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 40-22)

Status: (Passed) 2020-02-04 - ADOPTED [J02708 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J02708-Introduced.html


Senate Resolution No. 2708

BY: Senator THOMAS

        LEGISLATIVE  RESOLUTION    commemorating  the  200th
        Anniversary of the Independent Order of Odd  Fellows
        on April 26, 2019

  WHEREAS,  It  is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those fraternal 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
commemorate  the  200th  Anniversary  of  the  Independent  Order of Odd
Fellows which will be observed with a myriad of  events  throughout  the
year, beginning with a celebration on Friday, April 26, 2019; and

  WHEREAS,  In  the early 1700s, the original Independent Order of Odd
Fellows (IOOF) was founded in England; in 1819, the American Chapter was
established by Thomas Wildey, an English immigrant; and

  WHEREAS, In 1851, the IOOF became the first national  fraternity  to
accept both men and women, and this effort was led by then United States
Vice President Schuyler Colfax; and

  WHEREAS,  During the next 10 years, the IOOF continued to thrive and
flourish, and by 1861, the American Chapter consisted  of  over  200,000
members  in  42  states;  today, approximately 600,000 members belong to
12,000 lodges in 26 countries, and is located in several New York cities
and towns including Warwick, Syracuse,  Penfield,  Poestenkill,  Warsaw,
and Geneva; and

  WHEREAS,  Throughout  its  storied  history,  this non-sectarian and
non-political organization has always stayed  true  to  its  command  of
visiting  the  sick,  relieving  the  distressed,  burying  the dead and
educating the orphans; and

  WHEREAS, The Odd Fellows also seek to promote good will and  harmony
amongst   peoples   and  nations  through  the  principle  of  universal
fraternity, holding the belief that all  men  and  women  regardless  of
race, nationality, religion, social status, gender, rank and station are
brothers and sisters; and

  WHEREAS,  Through  their respective lodges, the men and women of the
IOOF have learned to become better citizens  by  providing  hundreds  of
scholarships,  and  supporting  veterans' programs, the elderly and less
fortunate, and those with visual impairments; and

  WHEREAS, Past members such as Presidents Franklin Delano  Roosevelt,
Ulysses  Grant,  Rutherford Hayes, Warren Harding, and William McKinley;
Charles Lindbergh, and former Chief Justice of the  Supreme  Court  Earl
Warren  helped  build  this  exceptional organization which continues to
diligently work to improve and elevate the character of mankind; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proudly moved to honor and commend
the members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 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
commemorate the 200th  Anniversary  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd
Fellows on April 26, 2019; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the New York Chapters of the  Independent  Order  of  Odd
Fellows.