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C. A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger, 33°
U.S. Congressman, 2nd District of Maryland
 I
am honored to be here today with this outstanding group of fellow
Scottish Rite Freemasons, to receive the white cap of the 33rd
Degree. I am equally honored to be asked to speak on behalf of
these distinguished gentlemen. As Brothers, each of us has dedicated
his life to the mission of Freemasonry and retained the Craft's
integrity through philanthropic efforts and community service.
Thus, we have maintained Masonry's integrity and our own special
fraternal bond.
Like many other Brothers receiving the 33° today, I come
from a long line of Masons-my great grandfather, grandfather,
father, brother, and son. We have studied Masonry's ideals and
lived by them to the best of our ability. As my father, Albert
Ruppersberger, reminded me, "Being a Mason is not about talking.
It is about doing." Through virtues like temperance, fortitude,
and justice, Freemasons learn to live, speak, and act so as to
become better men, better fathers and husbands, and better community
leaders. Those who stand with me today to receive this high honor
have lived Masonry's ideals. Each has dedicated his life to family,
community, and brotherhood.
Our Masonic organization was originally conceived to better the
moral and social aspects of human existence. Becoming a Mason
and moving through the Degrees are intended to make us better
persons and to encourage us to give back. That is who we are and
why we are here today.
Our contributions are consistent with Masonry's long and great
history. Throughout the history of mankind and specifically of
this nation, Masonry has been a foundation on which the nation
can depend and build. Masons came to America as colonists and
brought their ideals with them. Our Craft's philosophy was part
of the American Revolution and played a constructive role in shaping
our nation's political and social order. America's founding documents
state that liberty is not given to us by our government but earned
by us and preserved through our own efforts.
This is a Masonic tenet. To Masons, the right to freedom requires
individuals to participate and to learn. True freedom of thought
requires rational intelligence. However, before we can enjoy the
liberty of forming and sharing opinions, we must be able to distinguish
what is true from what is false. American liberty, based on this
Masonic philosophy, provides social freedom, but this freedom
carries with it the responsibility of living according to social
standards and rules. Enjoying our liberty means we are obligated
to think rationally, participate in the political process, and
be engaged in our society.
These aren't just fancy ideals. Rather, they are real virtues
and beliefs held by important Americans, including the men who
founded and shaped this great nation. Often these men were Masons.
Among them were George Washington, Ben Franklin, William Penn,
Charles Calvert (aka Lord Baltimore), and 33 delegates of the
Continental Congress. Each of these men believed in and lived
by Masonry's virtues. At least 14 Presidents were Masons. Among
them were Monroe, Taft, FDR, Truman, and Ford.
Masonic principles are in our founding documents from the Articles
of Confederation to the United States Constitution. We can see
this in our nation's commitment to liberty and freedom, both here
at home and abroad. As we find ourselves fighting wars in Iraq
and Afghanistan and against terrorism around the globe, our commitment
as Masons to these principles is only stronger.
Brothers, we are privileged to be members of this great organization
and to join such a distinguished list of fraternal Brothers who
have given so much throughout history. The challenge now is to
continue their mission in our lives and, by our actions, to give
back to America a portion of the blessings given to us.
The above article consists of Congressman
Ruppersberger's comments, as respondent for his class, at the
conferral of the 33° on October 7 during the 2003 Biennial
Session.
C. A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger, 33°
His outstanding civic service includes the following public offices:
Chairman, Baltimore County Council; County Executive; State's
Attorney; Representative, U.S. Congress, Second District of Maryland.
Contacts: 1630 Longworth Bldg., Washington, DC 20515; Tel. 202-225-3061;
Fax 202-225-3095; web site www.house.gov/ruppersberger
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