House Bill 9367

    Florida House of Representatives - 1998                HR 9367

        By Representative Kelly






  1                         House Resolution

  2         A resolution commending the Freemasons and

  3         Samuel E. Cowan for their contributions to the

  4         citizens of the state.

  5

  6         WHEREAS, Freemasonry began in medieval times and has

  7  been organized since the 18th century, and

  8         WHEREAS, Freemasonry was transplanted to the American

  9  colonies by English and Irish masons during the early decades

10  of the 18th century, and as early as 1734, Benjamin Franklin

11  was Grand Master of Masons in Pennsylvania, and

12         WHEREAS, Samuel E. Cowan, born in New Jersey, grew up

13  and was educated in Jacksonville and, after serving 8 years in

14  the United States Air Force and the Florida Air National

15  Guard, retired August 6, 1991, from The Prudential Insurance

16  Company of America after 21 years of service, and

17         WHEREAS, Samuel E. Cowan, an active Mason for over 30

18  years, in 1987 became the fifth Florida Mason to purchase a

19  Perpetual Membership, currently serves as a director on the

20  National Masonic Renewal Committee, was appointed to the Grand

21  Masters' Conference Committee for 1998, and in June 1997 was

22  installed as Grand Master of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge

23  of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida, and

24         WHEREAS, beyond the scope of Freemasonry, Samuel E.

25  Cowan, married and the father of four children, has been

26  recognized in a number of capacities for dedicated service to

27  his community, his state, and his nation, and

28         WHEREAS, Samuel E. Cowan, Grand Master of Masons of

29  Florida, serves as a leader to tens of thousands of Florida

30  Freemasons, as well as hundreds of thousands from around the

31  world who sojourn in our state, and

                                  1

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 1998                HR 9367

    90-280D-98






  1         WHEREAS, it is fitting and appropriate that the House

  2  of Representatives of the State of Florida pause in its

  3  deliberations to honor the Freemasons and Samuel E. Cowan for

  4  their contributions to the state, NOW, THEREFORE,

  5

  6  Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of

  7  Florida:

  8

  9         That the House of Representatives of the State of

10  Florida hereby commends the Freemasons of Florida and Samuel

11  E. Cowan for their contributions to the citizens of this state

12  and hereby accords this expression in recognition and

13  appreciation of the invaluable service thus rendered to the

14  state.

15         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution

16  be presented to Samuel E. Cowan, Grand Master of Florida of

17  the Order of Freemasons, as a tangible token of the sentiments

18  expressed herein.

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

                                  2