New York Senate Bill J00927

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/2/25
• Refer: 5/2/25
• Report Pass: 5/6/25
• Passed: 5/6/25

Caption

Commemorating the 180th Annual Prince Hall Grand Lodge Divine Service and recognizing its enduring spiritual and fraternal significance

Summary

This resolution commemorates the 180th Annual Prince Hall Grand Lodge Divine Service, scheduled for May 18, 2025, and recognizes the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York for its long-standing spiritual, fraternal, and civic contributions. The measure describes the Divine Service as a sacred annual gathering that brings together Masons from across the state for worship, reflection, and reaffirmation of the organization’s values of brotherly love, relief, and truth. The resolution also highlights the Prince Hall Grand Lodge’s broader role in New York communities, including charitable work, leadership development, and promoting unity across diverse backgrounds. It frames the 180th anniversary as a milestone reflecting nearly two centuries of faith, fellowship, and service, and directs that an engrossed copy of the resolution be transmitted to Grand Master Darren M. Morton, Ed.D. as a formal tribute.

Impact

As a ceremonial resolution, J00927 does not change state law, create new rights, impose duties, or amend any statutes. Its effect is symbolic and commemorative: it places the Legislature’s official recognition behind the Prince Hall Grand Lodge and its Divine Service, and it formally records the state’s appreciation for the organization’s religious, fraternal, and community service contributions.

Sentiment

The tone of the resolution is uniformly positive and respectful. The bill text presents the Prince Hall Grand Lodge in laudatory terms, emphasizing its historic significance, moral leadership, and community service. No votes, committee transcripts, or recorded objections are provided, so there is no evidence of controversy or opposition in the available materials.

Contention

There are no notable points of contention in the available record. Because the measure is a nonbinding commemorative resolution, it appears to be noncontroversial and largely ceremonial. The only identifiable focus is the Legislature’s public recognition of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge and its Grand Master, rather than any policy dispute or statutory issue.