K 132: Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge No. 609 and the Mary A. Carter Temple No. 362 of Saratoga Springs

 Assembly Resolution No. 132 BY: M. of A. Woerner COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge No. 609 and the Mary A. Carter Temple No. 362 of Saratoga Springs WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and commend those organizations whose purpose has been steadfast in providing cultural education, entertainment, and philanthropy in our great State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge No. 609 and the Mary A. Carter Temple No. 362 of Saratoga Springs, New York; and WHEREAS, On August 5, 1925, the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge No. 609 received its Charter from the national organization, the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World (I.B.P.O.E. of W.), the largest international African American fraternal organization with more than 1,500 lodges and 500,000 members; and WHEREAS, With the shared mission of the I.B.P.O.E. of W., the founding charter members - Jim Roach, Edmond Lance, Charlie White, Frank Jorden, George Smith, Frederick Allen, Joseph Jackson, Alonzo Johnson, David Phillips, William Walder, McKenzie Daniel, George Mitchum, Linwood Elliott, Joseph F. Moore, Lawrence Youngblood, Robert Hayes, Thomas Papino, and William Mosely - strived to promote harmony, friendship and unity among all members and their families; and WHEREAS, The Mary A. Carter Temple No. 362, the women's auxiliary counterpart of the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge No. 609, received its Charter on September 17, 1925, and is celebrating its Centennial Anniversary this year also; and WHEREAS, The founding Daughters of the Mary A. Carter Temple No. 362 included Mary Forrest, Grace Jackson, Elizabeth Dorsa, Rosa Petterson, Hattie Heath, Margaret Johnson, Mary Fletcher, Marie Stewart, Fannie Robinson, Alice Lewis, and Hazel Newby; and WHEREAS, For ten decades, the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge No. 609 and the Mary A. Carter Temple No. 362 have worked to cultivate charity, justice, fidelity, patriotism, and brotherly and sisterly love, a mission they shared with the I.B.P.O.E. of W.; and WHEREAS, Since its inception a century ago, multiple generations of families and community members of color have gathered in fellowship at the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge No. 609 which, prior to the Urban Renewal of the late 1960s, was the thriving entertainment, social, and cultural center for Saratoga's African American community; and WHEREAS, In 2025, the Brothers of the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge No. 609 are Tom Davis, Bill Stanley, Ural Davis, Sr., Bob Reed, Mike Plaskett, John Rockwell, Rich Ferguson, Ed Amyot, Jim Heeney, Joe McGraw, and Joe Johnson; the Daughters of the Mary A. Carter Temple No. 362 are Ceci Hayes, Elaina Davis, Stacey Turner, Valerie Ellis, Joy King, Anita Turner, Trish Peterson, Nichola Dutre, Dawn Harris, Anique Williams, Keeshua James, Cynthia Lee, and Claudia White Griggs; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body joins in celebrating the rich legacy of the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge No. 609 and the Mary A. Carter Temple No. 362 during this special milestone year; these organizations are steeped in a proud and distinguished history for the Black community; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge No. 609 and the Mary A. Carter Temple No. 362; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge No. 609 and the Mary A. Carter Temple No. 362.