HJ 651 — Commending the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.

SESSION INTRODUCEDENROLLED 23104278D I HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO.

651 E N Offered February 9, 2023 Commending the George Washington Masonic ––––––––––emorial.National Memorial.

TAgreed Patrons––Bennett-Parker;to by the House of Delegates, February 13, 2023 R Agreed to by the Senate, February 16, 2023 O L legacy of George Washington while serving as a research library, a cultural space, a community and performing arts center, and an important regional landmark, as well as an active Masonic temple;

Senators:and L WHEREAS, George Washington was a native son of Virginia and resident of Alexandria who E new United States;

Ebbin and Cosgrovemilitary Rleader ––––––––––during WHEREAS,the forAmerican 100Revolution years,and the Georgefirst Washingtonpresident Masonicof Nationalthe MemorialD hasWHEREAS, honoredas one of the Omost legacyprominent founding fathers of the nation, George Washington whilehas servingbeen asrevered aby researchgenerations library,of aAmericans culturalfor space,both ahis communityactions Dndon performingthe artsbattlefield center, and anhis importantvisionary regionalpublic landmark,service, aswhich wellleft asa anpowerful activelegacy Masonicof temple;expanding civil liberties that has reverberated across the world;

andandWHEREAS, WHEREAS, George Washington was aan nativeactive sonmember of Virginiathe Freemasons and residentestablished ofMasonic Alexandrialodge whoAlexandria-Washington ULodge newNo. United States;

and military leader during the American Revolution and the first president oC the WHEREAS, as one of the most prominent founding fathers of the nation, George Washington has E been revered by generations of Americans for both his actions on the battlefield and his visionary public service, which left a powerful legacy of expanding civil liberties that has reverberated across the world;

and WHEREAS, George Washington was an active member of the Freemasons and established Masonic lodge Alexandria-Washington Lodge No.

he is regarded by the orgWHEREAS,organization inas 1910,one Masonic leaders formed the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association to plan the construction of aits memorialforemost templemembers; in his honor;

and H WHEREAS, in 1910, Masonic leaders formed the George Washington Masonic National Memorial 5 AssWHEREAS, the cornerstone of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial was laid on E November 1, 1923, and was accompanied by a formal ceremony attended by civic leaders, Masonic HR officials, thousands of Masons, and other visitors;

and 6 WHEREAS, constructed from granite and designed in a Greek and Romanesque Revival style with 1a striking, terraced tower that evokes the Lighthouse of Alexandria in Egypt, the George Washington MasWHEREAS, the George Washington Masonic National Memorial iswas onededicated of the most impressive public monuments erected by the Freemasons and represents the high esteem in which1932; George Washington is held both by members of the order and people throughout the Commonwealth, the nation, and the world;

andandof Alexandria in Egypt, the George Washington WHEREAS, the George Washington Masonic National Memorial is one of the most impressive public monuments erected by the Freemasons and represents the high esteem in which George Washington is held both by members of the order and people throughout the Commonwealth, the nation, andWHEREAS, in 2015, the George Washington Masonic National Memorial was added to the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a National Historic Landmark by the U.S.

and :anniversary of the laying of the memorial's cornerstone with a rededication ceremony on February 20, 2023;

35now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the George Washington Masonic National Memorial on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of RESOLVED FURTHER, That the layingClerk of the memorial'sHouse cornerstoneof withDelegates prepare a rededicationcopy ceremonyof onthis Februaryresolution 20,for 36presentation 2023;to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the George Washington Masonic National Memorial's contributions to the study and preservation of the achievements of George Washington.

now, therefore, be it / 37 RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby / 38 commend the George Washington Masonic National Memorial on the occasion of the 100th anniversary 39 of the laying of the memorial's cornerstone;

and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association as an expression of contributions to the study and preservation of the achievements of George Washington.'s