A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO HONOR AND CELEBRATE SOVEREIGN GRAND INSPECTOR GENERAL EMERITUS TYRONE R. HARPER FOR HIS COMMITMENT AND MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO HIS COMMUNITY, THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO RECOGNIZE JUNE 7, 2026, AS "SOVEREIGN GRAND INSPECTOR GENERAL EMERITUS TYRONE R. HARPER DAY."

 

Whereas, Sovereign Grand Inspector General Emeritus Tyrone R. Harper of C.C. Johnson Consistory number 136, Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of South Carolina has served his military, civilian, fraternity, and church communities of Columbia with honor, dignity, pride, and respect during twenty years of active United States Army service, and over fifty years of faithful Masonic Fraternity service. As a soldier, SGIG Emeritus Harper trained, mentored and led officers and enlisted soldiers during difficult times in Asia and Europe, performing exemplary in all facets; and

 

Whereas, he was highly decorated during his United States Army career for protecting this great country, resulting in him being awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Service Ribbon, eight Good Conduct Medals, the Overseas Ribbon fourth award for Non-Commissioned Officers, and the Professional Development Award. SGIG Emeritus Harper was also recognized as the Outstanding Drill Sergeant of the Cycle for multiple years as well as the First Infantry Division Outstanding First Sergeant; and

 

Whereas, as a Prince Hall Mason SGIG Emeritus Harper's service, commitment, and contributions to the city of Columbia and the state of South Carolina have been noteworthy through his mentorship of the youth in his community, church, and fraternity. SGIG Emeritus Harper is a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Columbia. He is a life member of the South Carolina National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a member of the 100 Black Men of Greater Columbia, Inc., a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4262 in Columbia, and was proclaimed an Honorary Citizen of Kingsland, Georgia; and

 

Whereas, SGIG Emeritus Harper was made a Mason in 1969 in George B. Swanston Military Lodge number 144, Nuremberg, West Germany, Oklahoma Jurisdiction. He is a past Master of Corinthian Lodge number 11, Columbia, and an honorary member of Capital City Lodge number 47, Mt Olive Lodge number 434, and More Light Lodge number 468. A member of Bright Star Chapter number 20 of the Holy Royal Arch Masons, a member of Nile Commandery number 9, Knights Templar, former member of Nehemiah Consistory number 56, and currently a member of C.C. Johnson Consistory number 136. He is a former Noble of Abduhl Temple number 9 and is currently a Noble of Cairo Temple number 125 of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine. Since 2002, he has been an honorary member of the Georgia Council of Deliberation; and

 

Whereas, in honor of his noble service, a scholarship and charitable donation award entitled Sovereign Grand Inspector General Emeritus Tyrone R. Harper Scholarship and Charitable Donation Award has been established. His contributions and achievements have inspired countless Masons and generations of South Carolina citizens. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, honor and celebrate Sovereign Grand Inspector General Emeritus Tyrone R. Harper for his commitment and many years of service to his community, the state of South Carolina, and the United States of America, and recognize June 7, 2026, as "Sovereign Grand Inspector General Emeritus Tyrone R. Harper Day."

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Sovereign Grand Inspector General Emeritus Tyrone R. Harper.

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