Commending the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York upon the occasion of hosting its 181st Annual Grand Lodge Divine Service

Senate Resolution No. 1975

BY: Senator PARKER

        COMMENDING  the  Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand
        Lodge of New York upon the occasion of  hosting  its
        181st Annual Grand Lodge Divine Service

  WHEREAS,  It  is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those institutions  of  high  purpose  and  distinguished
accomplishment  whose enduring commitment to faith, service, leadership,
and community uplift has enriched the civic and moral life of the  State
of New York; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
commend the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York upon the
occasion  of  hosting  its  181st  Annual  Grand Lodge Divine Service on
Sunday, May 3, 2026; and

  WHEREAS, The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York  is
a  historic  fraternal  institution  comprised  of men of conscience and
character, bound together as  Freemasons  by  shared  moral  ideals  and
esoteric  values  grounded in the timeless principles of Brotherly Love,
Relief, and Truth; its history in New  York  State  dates  back  to  the
earliest  days  of  African-American  civic  life in this State, and its
legacy of service, scholarship, and community empowerment  continues  to
shape the fabric of our communities to this day; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Annual  Grand Lodge Divine Service is a cherished and
sacred tradition of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge  of  New
York,  gathering  the  full Craft, together with officers and members of
the Eureka Grand Chapter, Prince Hall Order of  Eastern  Star,  and  all
appendant   and   concordant  bodies,  in  a  unified  act  of  worship,
reflection, and rededication to the moral foundations upon which  Prince
Hall Masonry was built; and

  WHEREAS, Under the distinguished leadership of Most Worshipful Grand
Master  Darren M. Morton, Ed.D., a 33rd-degree Prince Hall Mason, Senior
Pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, and lifelong servant
of the Prince Hall fraternal family and the broader community, the  Most
Worshipful  Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York continues to fulfill its
mission with excellence, vision, and an  unyielding  commitment  to  the
welfare of those it serves; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Reverend  Keith  I.  Harris,  Presiding  Elder of the
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, has been invited  to  serve  as
the  Guest  Minister  for  the  181st Annual Grand Lodge Divine Service,
bringing to the occasion his distinguished record of pastoral leadership
and abiding commitment to accountability, integrity, and ministry rooted
in service to the Divine and community; and

  WHEREAS, The Annual Grand Lodge Divine Service stands as a testament
to the faith tradition that has always  animated  Prince  Hall  Masonry,
affirming  that  the  fraternity's commitment to community, service, and
justice is inseparable from its commitment to the Divine; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proudly moved to  honor  the  Most
Worshipful  Prince  Hall  Grand Lodge of New York, its officers, and its
members who have labored so conscientiously to secure  and  improve  the
quality of life for the communities they serve; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York upon the
occasion of hosting its 181st Annual Grand Lodge Divine Service  on  May
3, 2026; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  copies  of  this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Most Worshipful Grand Master Darren M. Morton, Ed.D., and
the Most Worshipful Prince Hall  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  Free  and
Accepted Masons of the State of New York.