Assembly Resolution No. 132

BY: M. of A. Woerner

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the
Frederick Allen Elks Lodge No. 609 and the Mary A.
Carter Temple No. 362 of Saratoga Springs

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those organizations whose purpose has been steadfast in
providing cultural education, entertainment, and philanthropy in our
great State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge No.
609 and the Mary A. Carter Temple No. 362 of Saratoga Springs, New York;
and

WHEREAS, On August 5, 1925, the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge No. 609
received its Charter from the national organization, the Improved
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World (I.B.P.O.E. of W.),
the largest international African American fraternal organization with
more than 1,500 lodges and 500,000 members; and

WHEREAS, With the shared mission of the I.B.P.O.E. of W., the
founding charter members - Jim Roach, Edmond Lance, Charlie White, Frank
Jorden, George Smith, Frederick Allen, Joseph Jackson, Alonzo Johnson,
David Phillips, William Walder, McKenzie Daniel, George Mitchum, Linwood
Elliott, Joseph F. Moore, Lawrence Youngblood, Robert Hayes, Thomas
Papino, and William Mosely - strived to promote harmony, friendship and
unity among all members and their families; and

WHEREAS, The Mary A. Carter Temple No. 362, the women's auxiliary
counterpart of the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge No. 609, received its
Charter on September 17, 1925, and is celebrating its Centennial
Anniversary this year also; and

WHEREAS, The founding Daughters of the Mary A. Carter Temple No. 362
included Mary Forrest, Grace Jackson, Elizabeth Dorsa, Rosa Petterson,
Hattie Heath, Margaret Johnson, Mary Fletcher, Marie Stewart, Fannie
Robinson, Alice Lewis, and Hazel Newby; and

WHEREAS, For ten decades, the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge No. 609 and
the Mary A. Carter Temple No. 362 have worked to cultivate charity,
justice, fidelity, patriotism, and brotherly and sisterly love, a
mission they shared with the I.B.P.O.E. of W.; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception a century ago, multiple generations of
families and community members of color have gathered in fellowship at
the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge No. 609 which, prior to the Urban Renewal
of the late 1960s, was the thriving entertainment, social, and cultural
center for Saratoga's African American community; and

WHEREAS, In 2025, the Brothers of the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge No.
609 are Tom Davis, Bill Stanley, Ural Davis, Sr., Bob Reed, Mike
Plaskett, John Rockwell, Rich Ferguson, Ed Amyot, Jim Heeney, Joe

McGraw, and Joe Johnson; the Daughters of the Mary A. Carter Temple No.
362 are Ceci Hayes, Elaina Davis, Stacey Turner, Valerie Ellis, Joy
King, Anita Turner, Trish Peterson, Nichola Dutre, Dawn Harris, Anique
Williams, Keeshua James, Cynthia Lee, and Claudia White Griggs; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body joins in celebrating the rich legacy
of the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge No. 609 and the Mary A. Carter Temple
No. 362 during this special milestone year; these organizations are
steeped in a proud and distinguished history for the Black community;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge No.
609 and the Mary A. Carter Temple No. 362; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge No. 609 and the Mary A.
Carter Temple No. 362.