William Penn Life, 1984 (19. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)

1984-04-01 / 2. szám

Pennsylvania Governor Thornburgh Proclaims June 8-14 Fraternal Week

HARRISBURG (March 21, 1984)— Gov. Dick Thornburgh today proclaimed the week of June 8-14 as Fraternal Week in Pennsylvania during ceremonies in the Governor’s Reception Room.

In signing the proclamation he emphasized the fact that “more than one million members of the fraternal benefit societies make their home in

Pennsylvania . . . [and] display their concern for the needs of others, their devotion to this state and nation, and their belief in the preservation of ethnic dignity ... At the same time, members of fraternals reach out to needy, aged, informed and disabled citizens, and they help plan for the future by offering scholarships and sports programs to young people.”

To witness the signing of the proclamation were Insurance Commissioner Anthony Ceyelin; Charles Bójánk, Chairman of the Governor’s Heritage Affairs Commission and Serbian-American Commissioner; Rosario Cancila, President of the Pennsylvania Fraternal Congress, officers and representatives of the Congress and member societies.

At the present time there are 74 Fraternal Benefit Societies in the Pennsylvania Fraternal Congress. More fraternals (31) have their home offices in Pennsylvania than any other state and Pennsylvania can be rightfully designated as the Fraternal State.

Recently Gov. Thornburgh also signed Senate Bill No. 788 making requested changes in the Pennsylvania’s Fraternal Code which will improve and benefit the fraternals. Included are four important changes which the Bill, introduced by Senator Zemprelli and others, will effect the fraternals: (1) Examination by Insurance Department personnel every four years in lieu of three years; (2) Supreme legislative governing bodies may meet in any state or country on the North American Continent; (3) Society may defer a loan or a policy for six months in lieu of the previous 60 days; (4) Societies may invest up to and not exceeding 5% of other admitted assets to purchase, receive, hold and convey real estate for camps and recreational areas for its members.

1984 Fraternalist Of The Year

The Fraternal Societies of Greater Pittsburgh recently honored an outstanding fraternal leader from Pittsburgh for 1 984, Cecilia Sarocky, President of the Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Association. Mrs. Sarocky is a dedicated fraternalist who not only practices the ideals of brotherhood and fraternalism, but has made them a way of life for herself and her family.

Also honored was Thomas J. Foerster who received the “Brotherhood of Man Award" for his many fine contributions to fraternalism.

We congratulate both of these fine recipients for receiving their prestigious awards.

J Question of the Month

“Where did dear old Dad learn about all those terrible things he tells Junior not to do?”

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNORS OFFICE HARRISBURG

PROCLAMATION

FRATERNAL WEEK JUNE 8 - 14, Í984

Pennsylvania has a strong legacy of neighbor helping neighbor, and the fraternal benefit system has long been an important part of that noble tradition. Through many civic, patriotic and charitable activities, our fine fraternal societies have made important contributions to our communities.

The fraternal benefit system is a part of the Commonwealth's insurance industry as well as a leader in efforts to promote ethnic pride and awareness in the Keystone State. More than one million members of fraternal benefit societies make their home in Pennsylvania, and our state also serves as the headquarters for many of these organizations. At the same time, members of fraternals reach out to needy, aged, infirm and disabled citizens, and they help plan for the future by offering scholarships and sports programs to young people. By providing the means for sound financial planning, these special societies not only emphasize good citizenship but actively seek recognition of the ethnic diversity in which the Commonwealth takes great pride.

In honor of the important work of the fraternal benefit system, I, Dick Thornburgh, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim June 8 - 14, 1984 as FRATERNAL WEEK in Pennsylvania. I hope all citizens will join with me in paying tribute to the dedicated members of our fraternal organizations who display their concern for the needs of others, their devotion to this state and nation, and their belief in the preservation of ethnic dignity.

GIVEN under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, this twenty-first day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and eighty-four, and of the Commonwealth the two hundred and eighth.

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