A HOUSE RESOLUTION honoring the riverside Masonic lodge #606, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
Whereas, the mission of Freemasonry in North Carolina is "to raise the moral, social, intellectual, and spiritual conscience of society by teaching the ancient and enduring philosophical tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth, which are expressed outwardly through service to God, family, country, and self under the Fatherhood of God within the Brotherhood of Man"; and
Whereas, on February 14, 1913, 15 members of Riverside Lodge #606, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons met in Catawba, North Carolina, under dispensation granted by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Mason of North Carolina, Reverend Beverly Wilson; and
Whereas, Riverside Masonic Lodge #606 was chartered on January 14, 1914, with 21 members and under the leadership of Master Willie Bolton Walker; and
Whereas, many of the early masters of Riverside Masonic Lodge #606 served multiple terms, including Willie Bolton Walker, who served from 1914 to 1917 and in 1924; Oscar Sherrill from 1918 to 1919; H.B. Harris from 1920 to 1923; B. Wilson from 1926 to 1928; R.W. Kale from 1930 to 1931; Charles B. Gilbert from 1933 to 1935; Claude Eugene Little from 1936 to 1939; and Reverend W.Q. Grigg from 1941 to 1942; and
Whereas, in 1961, the members of the Lodge set the cornerstone for a new building and, on July 18, 1964, construction was completed; and
Whereas, the Lodge celebrated its 50th anniversary with a ceremony held on December 4, 1964, during which the officers included: Jasper H. Bissette, Master; Jake Abernethy, Sr., Senior Warden; Max Sherrill, Junior Warden; Ernest Love, Treasurer; Joe Spencer, Secretary; Mason Alexander, Senior Deacon; Allen Huffman, Junior Deacon; Bob Allen and James Murray, Stewards; Neil Setzer, Chaplain; and Grady Abernethy, Tyler; and
Whereas, since 1964, the Riverside Masonic Lodge #606 has held an annual Ham Day, the largest one day Masonic fund-raiser in the State of North Carolina, of which the proceeds have made the Lodge one of the largest per capita donors for various Masonic charities, including the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford and the former Masonic and Eastern Star Home located in Greensboro; and
Whereas, Riverside Masonic Lodge #606 has continued to prosper for over 100 years due to the dedication of the organization's leaders and members; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives honors the memory of the early leaders and members of the Riverside Masonic Lodge #606 and congratulates the Lodge on 100 years of serving the Catawba community.
SECTION 2.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to Jacob Ray Abernathy, Jr., Secretary of Riverside Masonic Lodge #606.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.