HR317: HR317 Fort Benning Lodge #579; commend

This House resolution honors Fort Benning Lodge #579, Free & Accepted Masons, which was organized on January 10, 1924 by 53 Masons from Fort Benning Military Base and nearby lodges. The lodge received its charter from the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Georgia later that year and was formally constituted on November 3, 1924. The resolution states that the House of Representatives recognizes and commends the lodge for its dedicated service, leadership, and fraternal contributions over more than 100 years in the Columbus area, including Muscogee, Chattahoochee, and Harris counties. It also extends best wishes for the lodge's future. The resolution directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy for distribution to the lodge. It does not change any Georgia law.

• Formally recognizes and commends Fort Benning Lodge #579 for over 100 years of service and fraternal contributions.
• Extends the House of Representatives' best wishes for the lodge's future growth and success.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the lodge.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a ceremonial statement only.

This resolution directly concerns Fort Benning Lodge #579, a Masonic lodge based in Columbus, Georgia, and its members. It has no regulatory or financial effect on other Georgians, businesses, or government agencies.

The resolution has no practical legal effect on Georgians generally; its significance is symbolic, giving official legislative recognition to a century-old civic and fraternal organization tied to Fort Benning and the Columbus community.

• The whereas clauses recount the lodge's founding on January 10, 1924, its charter from the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Georgia, and its constitution on November 3, 1924.
• The resolved clause has the House commend the lodge for over 100 years of service, leadership, and fraternal contributions.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy available for distribution to the lodge.

1. 2025-02-19House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-02-19House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-19House Hopper (House)

• Vance Smith (R, HD-138)Primary sponsor
• Carmen Rice (R, HD-139)

• ceremonial resolution
• Fort Benning
• Columbus Georgia
• Masonic lodge
• legislative commendation