Sam may scold me for doing this, but I just can't let something this good pass unnoticed. My good friends and Masonic associates Sam and Millie Hilburn recently donated $200,000 to the Scottish Rite Foundation, S.J., U.S.A., Inc., to establish a scholarship fund. Over the years, it is hoped that this designated fund will grow to a million dollars or more. It will provide scholarships for graduate students studying to become specialists in the field of Childhood Language Disorders. To Sam and Millie (pictured right), this is just one more step in their lifelong service to others. To me, it is one more piece of evidence that Brother Sam and his beloved Millie are just about the greatest couple in the world!

For all the years I have known the Hilburns, they have been stalwarts of the Scottish Rite and, in particular, of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, Texas. (See related article in this issue.) Their generous donation establishing the Sam and Millie Scholarship Fund has already been enhanced by $20,000 that I added on behalf of the Supreme Council. The corpus of the fund will remain. Only its interest will be used. The fund is intended to support one two-year scholarship of $5,000 each year starting with the 2000–2001 academic year.

Despite their Texas roots, Sam and Millie realize the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Program benefits children in 136 clinics throughout the Southern Jurisdiction. Thus, the scholarship will be available to any U.S. citizen residing in the Southern Jurisdiction of the Rite. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of distinguished Masons and childhood language disorders specialists so that the very best and most deserving students can receive support from the fund for their graduate studies in this field.

But let me start at the beginning. The establishment of this new scholarship fund is the culmination of many things, including Sam's illustrious Masonic and professional careers. After attending Tarleton State University and Texas A&M prior to military service, Sam graduated with degrees in Geology and Petroleum Engineering from Oklahoma University. He immediately put these skills to good use as an independent oil operator in Midland, Texas, where he and Millie, his wife of 57 years, still reside while keeping in close contact with their three children and six grandchildren.

Sam and Millie quickly became pillars of Midland's business, civic, and church life. Currently, Sam serves as Chairman of the Board of the Midland American Bank, and he has conscientiously filled many civic capacities, including six years as a Member and then President of the Midland School Board. Millie and Sam are members of St. Luke's Methodist Church in Midland, and he is a past Chairman of the Board, lay reader, trustee, and adult Sunday School teacher at St. Luke's.

Regarding the Craft, Sam was raised a Master Mason in Midland Lodge No. 623 in 1950 and served his Lodge as Master in 1959–60. He then filled several Grand Lodge offices before serving as Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Texas, in 1980. Still a leader in the Grand Lodge of Texas, he has also filled many posts with distinction at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, Texas Lodge of Research (W.M. 1988), and Masonic Home and School of Texas in Fort Worth. His many other leadership roles in various Masonic Bodies are too numerous to mention in this brief tribute, but Ill. Sam's role as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, S.G.I.G. in Texas, and Grand Treasurer General of our Supreme Council must be noted. In each capacity he has set new benchmarks of excellence and achievement.

The Scottish Rite and all of Freemasonry owe much to Sam and Millie, more than could ever be repaid in honor and recognition. However, through support of the Sam and Millie Hilburn Scholarship Fund, our Order has an opportunity to extend the Masonic work of this wonderful couple to new generations of young professionals, each hoping to help America's children with special language and learning needs. Thank you, Sam and Millie, for this wonderful gift. Your example inspires us all!