WHEREAS,  Freemasonry is one of the oldest and largest fraternal organizations in the world, open to men of any race, religion or social standing, and it provides opportunities for fellowship, charity, education and leadership based on the 3 ancient Masonic tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth; and

WHEREAS,  the first Maine Masonic Lodge was formed in 1762 and the Grand Lodge of Maine was incorporated on June 16, 1820 as one of the first legislatively created institutions in the State, with Governor William King serving as the first Grand Master of Maine; and

WHEREAS,  many of the country's famous patriots were Masons, including Paul Revere, George Washington, John Hancock and Benjamin Franklin, and many sons of Maine were Masons, including at least 33 Governors, Civil War Brigadier General Joshua Chamberlain, arctic explorer Rear Admiral Robert Peary, businessmen and philanthropists Harold Alfond and Galen Cole and famed baseball coach John Winkin, Jr.; and

WHEREAS,  throughout history Masons have been committed to serving their communities through charity and continue to do so today through such projects as working with schools and libraries to encourage children to read; providing school teachers and administrators with free educational training and tools to identify and assist at-risk children; offering free specialized education in Portland and Bangor for children with dyslexia; and working with the Shriners, who operate the Shriners Hospitals for Children, an international hospital network providing no-cost, state-of-the-art burn and orthopedic care to children; and

WHEREAS,  on Maine Masonic Day, April 7, 2018, Masonic lodges throughout the State will confer the Master Mason degree on men of character who wish to improve themselves and benefit their communities; now, therefore, be it