Government
Day 2001 was, without a doubt, a definite success for the
Alamo Area District of Masonic Youth. It was also the first
time since 1997 that Albert Pike swept the awards, with
Best Representative going to Charles Maddox, Best Senator
going to Jared May, and Best Delegation going to our Chapter.
In addition, Tommy Fawcet, a dual member of Albert Pike
and San Antonio Chapters, was elected House Speaker, and
DDSMC Lee McGinnis of Corpus Christi Chapter was elected
President of the Senate. The Rainbows and Job’s Daughters
had plenty of boasting themselves, with Assembly No. 3 taking
home Best Rainbow Delegation, and Katy Hampton (also Albert
Pike’s Sweetheart) took home Best Rainbow Representative.
Bethel No. 1 took home Best Job's Daughters Delegation,
Honored Queen Jessica Burney taking home Best Job's Daughters
Representative, and Miss Texas Job’s Daughter, Desirie
Vargas, taking home Best Job's Daughters Senator. Finally,
SIKC Doug Van Griner was awarded the Distinguished Service
Award.
The event kicked off on Feb. 17 at the Capitol in Austin
under the direction of Dads Rodriguez, McCracken, and Paceleo.
The night earlier, Pike members convened at Player’s
in Austin, the equivalent of Chester’s, to plan. A
“Dream Team” was drawn up: With Doug Van Griner,
Jared May, and Brandon Marshall going to the Senate; George
Pandzik was to preach and author bills; Charles Maddox was
to speak for or against bills in the House; Robert Herbig
and Jonathan Huth wrote Amendments; John Pandzik questioned
the authors and speakers; PSMC Pat Crocker decided to “play”
a bit with the Speakers in the House.
Early in the day, State Bethel Beau Kris Rice was thrown
out, due to not wearing a tie, and a fierce debate erupted
between SMC R.J. Morlock and HQ Jessica Burney over Bill
No. 14, requiring SMC Morlock to take all the Jobies out
to dinner wearing a dress. A dance was given that night
at the Holiday Inn on Town Lake.
The next day was slow, as everyone was anxiously waiting
to go home. But that was soon off set when Bro. Herbig amended
a Bill requiring stricter punishments on driver’s without
car insurance. He and Jonathan amended the Bill to read
that when caught, those accused would be publicly flogged.
He added that this amended Bill could help the Chowder industry,
by applying chowder to heal the wounds. The amendment passed,
and was the first of two Bills out of 30 that were passed
in the House.
Government Day 2001 was without a doubt, Albert Pike Government
Day. Many speakers in the House and Senate spoke more often
than some chapters/assemblies/bethels combined! However,
due to the passing of E.O. W. Blain Koenning’s wife,
Becky Koenning, Government Day 2001 was officially named
the “Becky Koenning Government Day 2001.”
PICTURES
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