TO WELCOME TO THE PALMETTO STATE BRUCE J. BERGER, SUPREME GOVERNOR FOR THE LOYAL ORDER OF MOOSE, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS VISITS TO SEVERAL SOUTH CAROLINA LODGES OF THE MOOSE ORGANIZATION AND TO HONOR THE LOYAL ORDER OF MOOSE FOR ITS MANY YEARS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE.

Whereas, founded in 1888, the Loyal Order of Moose is a fraternal and service organization with nearly 650,000 men and women in about 1,400 lodges and 1,250 chapters throughout the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. Along with other units of Moose International, the Loyal Order of Moose supports the operation of Mooseheart Child City & School, a 1,000-acre community near Chicago for children and teens in need, and Moosehaven, a 70-acre retirement community for its members near Jacksonville, Florida. Additionally, members of the Moose donate between forty and sixty million dollars in community service (including monetary donations and volunteer hours) annually. The Loyal Order of Moose also organizes, and participates in, numerous sports and recreational programs in local lodges and family centers in the majority of forty-four state and provincial associations, as well as on a fraternity-wide basis. Lodges across the fraternity are known for creating lifelong bonds between members through activities and a shared concern for children in need, seniors, and the communities in which they live; and

Whereas, in January 2021, Bruce J. Berger, supreme governor for the Loyal Order of Moose, will visit the Palmetto State, initiating his visit on January 14 as the special guest speaker for South Greenville, SC Moose Lodge No. 749. In the days following, as part of his travels across the State of South Carolina, Supreme Governor Berger also will visit lodges in Fort Mill, West Columbia (Cayce), Pawleys Island, and Myrtle Beach; and

Whereas, Mr. Berger, who hails from Quakertown, Pennsylvania, rose from the post of supreme junior governor to become the Moose fraternity's chief presiding officer on June 26, 2020. He was elected by vote of Supreme Lodge delegates to a one-year term as supreme governor at the 132nd International Convention of the Loyal Order of Moose, held online for the first time in its history; and

Whereas, he joined the Moose in 1982 as a member of Quakertown, PA Lodge 1622 and has served this lodge three terms as governor. Later, he transferred to Sellersville, PA Lodge 1539, where he is an honorary past governor. He also holds membership in Mooseheart, IL Lodge 2655, Chicora, PA Lodge 962, and Port Allegany, PA Lodge 460; and

Whereas, Bruce Berger finds strength for his labors in the strong support of his family: his lovely wife, Donna; their daughter, Amanda; and two granddaughters, Mary Elizabeth and Violet Marie. He is employed by Secant Medical and, aside from his Moose duties, enjoys following car racing; and

Whereas, cognizant of the fine record of service maintained by the Loyal Order of Moose for more than one hundred thirty years, as well as the distinguished record of its international leadership, the House takes great pleasure in welcoming Bruce J. Berger, supreme governor for the Loyal Order of Moose, to South Carolina on the occasion of his visits to several South Carolina Moose lodges. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, welcome to the Palmetto State Bruce J. Berger, supreme governor for the Loyal Order of Moose, on the occasion of his visits to several South Carolina lodges of the Moose organization and honor the Loyal Order of Moose for its many years of community service.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Bruce J. Berger, supreme governor for the Loyal Order of Moose.