IV 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1413 
Recognizing Prince Hall for his contributions as a Revolutionary Era activist, 
Masonic leader, and his lasting impact in the African-American fight 
for justice. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
AUGUST 9, 2024 
Mr. GREEN of Texas submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on the Judiciary 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing Prince Hall for his contributions as a Revolu-
tionary Era activist, Masonic leader, and his lasting im-
pact in the African-American fight for justice. 
Whereas Prince Hall was a free Black man who lived in colo-
nial Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1735 to 1807; 
Whereas Prince Hall was an ardent abolitionist and prolific 
activist in Boston, Massachusetts, during the American 
Revolutionary period; 
Whereas, in 1775, after being denied by an all-White Masonic 
lodge, Hall and 14 other free Black men formed their 
own lodge; 
Whereas Hall was elected as the leader, or ‘‘Worshipful Mas-
ter’’, within the newly formed African Lodge #1, later 
renamed African Lodge No. 459; 
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•HRES 1413 IH 
Whereas, because of this action, Prince Hall is known as the 
‘‘Father of Black Freemasonry’’; 
Whereas Prince Hall Freemasonry is recognized by many as 
the oldest continuously active organization founded by 
African Americans in the United States; 
Whereas the Prince Hall Freemasons employed advocacy and 
community work to assist Blacks seeking citizenship, 
education, and economic advancement; 
Whereas, in 1777, Prince Hall petitioned the Massachusetts 
government to abolish slavery and is considered by some 
to be the first to publicly proclaim that Black people 
should be granted the rights laid out in the Declaration 
of Independence; 
Whereas, in 1787, a committee of 12 from the African 
Lodge, headed by Worshipful Master Hall, drafted the 
Boston Plan, a detailed plan for African Americans to re-
turn to Africa, to free themselves from their hostile living 
conditions in the United States; 
Whereas the resettlement plan requested the Massachusetts 
General Court to provide passage for families with the 
necessary provisions, utensils, and articles, as well as 
money to procure lands to settle upon; 
Whereas, in 1788, Prince Hall petitioned the Massachusetts 
Legislature to protect Black sailors from being kidnapped 
and sold into slavery; 
Whereas Prince Hall’s influence remains within the 5,000 
lodges and 47 grand lodges who trace their lineage to the 
original lodge he founded; and 
Whereas this resolution may be cited as the ‘‘Original Resolu-
tion Honoring Prince Hall’’ : Now, therefore, be it 
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•HRES 1413 IH 
Resolved, 
SEC. 1. RECOGNITION. 
The House of Representatives recognizes and thanks 
Prince Hall for his contributions as a Revolutionary Era 
activist and Masonic leader, as well as for his lasting im-
pact in the African-American fight for justice. 
Æ 
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