WHEREAS, Damascus Lodge No. 199, established in 1913, marks 100 years of service this year; and
     WHEREAS, The Lodge is the oldest continuously operating civic organization in the community; and
     WHEREAS, On September 11, 1912, a petition for a new Lodge bearing 16 signatures was sponsored by Arlington Lodge No. 129 with Worshipful Brother A.H. Moll as Master and Albert E. Underwood as Secretary; and
     WHEREAS, The petition for charter, dated June 2, 1913, was granted on June 11, 1913, by Most Worshipful Brother Frank M. McCandless, Grand Master; and
     WHEREAS, The Lodge supports the Granite Falls Historical Society; and
     WHEREAS, The Lodge collects canned goods and other items for the Granite Falls Food Bank; and
     WHEREAS, The Lodge supports the Granite Falls Little League; and
     WHEREAS, The Lodge sponsors the Bikes for Books program in Mountain Way and Monte Cristo Elementary Schools; and
     WHEREAS, The Lodge recognizes the ten highest performing students of junior status from Granite Falls High School with a dinner, presentation of certificates, and eligibility for their annual lodge scholarship; and
     WHEREAS, The Lodge organizes fund-raiser pancake breakfasts four times per year for their Bikes for Books and high school scholarship programs; and
     WHEREAS, The Lodge has held the charter for Cub Pack 28 for over seventy-five years and Scout Troop 28 for over fifty years; and
     WHEREAS, The Lodge supports the local Masonic Park, a 245-acre parcel outside of Granite Falls, and has provided help with logging fallen timber for sale to benefit the park, cleared debris during storms, and assisted where needed; and
     WHEREAS, As Freemasonry is an international fraternal organization, the Lodge assists brothers from across the globe when called upon;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the members of the Washington State House of Representatives honor the Damascus Lodge No. 199 on its one hundredth birthday and encourage all citizens to join in this special observance.