LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending The Grand Council of the Independent
United Order of Mechanics, Friendly Society, Western Hemisphere, Inc.
upon the occasion of hosting its official opening and ribbon cutting
ceremony

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those individuals and organizations that devote their energy, resources
and thoughtful care to improving the quality and character of life in
their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend The Grand
Council of the Independent United Order of Mechanics, Friendly Society,
Western Hemisphere, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting its official open-
ing and ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, October 22, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The Historical Archive and Documentation Division of the
Order is coordinating this special event; the Independent United Order
of Mechanics, Friendly Society, Western Hemisphere, Inc. is a worldwide
fraternal and benevolent organization with its Headquarters at the land-
mark building located at 65-67 Putnam Avenue in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Independent United Order of Mechanics, "The Order," was
established in Lancashire, England in 1757 and received its authority by
Act of the British Parliament; branches were established in South Afri-
ca, followed by other branches in Jamaica, Demerara, Trinidad, Cuba
Panama, Canada, Barbados, Grenada, Suriname, Dutch West Indies, Belize,
Spanish Honduras, and Guatemala; and
WHEREAS, In 1910, The Order was established in the United States of
America and was Incorporated under the laws of the State of New York;
the headquarters of the Independent United Order of Mechanics, Friendly
Society, Western Hemisphere, Inc. was transferred to New York in 1941,
where it is presently maintained; and
WHEREAS, This special organization consists of District Grand Juris-
dictions, Lodges, Chapters, and Youth Sectors; and
WHEREAS, The Independent United Order of Mechanics, Friendly Society,
Western Hemisphere, Inc., is a well ordered, properly regulated and
astutely governed society of Lodges formed for the mutual uplifting of
its members; a Mechanics Lodge is a group of men and women who have
voluntarily formed themselves into a family exemplifying all the high
ideals and expectations of a well regulated, closely-knit organization;
and
WHEREAS, Mechanism teaches members to know themselves and to appreci-
ate others by their character and humanity, thus, there are no economic,
social, racial, ethnic or other superficial barriers; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proudly moved to honor and commend
the members of the Grand Council of the Independent United Order of
Mechanics, Friendly Society, Western Hemisphere, Inc., past and present,
who have labored so conscientiously to secure and improve the quality of
life for the community it serves; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend The Grand Council of the Independent United Order of Mechanics,
Friendly Society, Western Hemisphere, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting
its official opening and ribbon cutting ceremony; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Grand Council of the Independent United Order of Mechan-
ics, Friendly Society, Western Hemisphere, Inc.