M.W. JULIAN L. HARRIS

MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND MASTER

It is with great humility that this Grand Master stands before you to render this annual address. First giving thanks to the Almighty God who has blessed us this past year. A he will continue to bless us through this session and upcoming years. We would like to thank each of you for your support and dedication that you have shown this Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge.

NECROLOGY

2002 — 2003

There are many occasions this year that the bitter cup has hover over this Most Worshipful Grand Lodge. A number of men have laid down the working tools of life and have been given a white stone and in that stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he have received it.

   Curtis A. Chapel Jr.                                                                                      James A. Mckenzie Sr.

   Union Lodge #43                                                                                             Torii Lodge #46

   July 9, 2002                                                                                                    January 18, 2003

   Nathaniel N. Brannon Jr.                                                                            Hosea Adam Phillips Sr.

   Harmony Lodge #2                                                                                         Inland Empire Lodge #3

   July 13, 2002                                                                                                  January 26, 200

   Leon Kelly Sr.                                                                                               Donald E. Collins

   Cassia Lodge #5                                                                                             True Resolution Lodge #16

   September 5, 2002                                                                                         February 16, 2003

   Jesse P. Miller                                                                                             David L. Baugh

   Lee Grant Rogers Lodge #61                                                                        Vancouver Lodge #47

   October 21, 2002                                                                                            February 26, 2003

   Calvin W. Greer                                                                                           Edward L. Green

   Fred U. Harris Lodge #70                                                                              Mabuhay Lodge #59

   October 25, 2002                                                                                           March 5, 2003

   Walter Archibald Jr.                                                                                     Cleophus D. Chatman. Jr.

   Cassia Lodge #5                                                                                            Lee Grant Rogers Lodge #61

   November 8, 2002                                                                                         March 17, 2003

   James E. Hayes Jr.                                                                                      John E. Peterson

   King David Lodge #67                                                                                   Mabuhay Lodge #59

   December 1, 2002                                                                                        April 7, 2003

   William H. Tendle Sr.                                                                                  Harold C. Houston

   Evergreen Lodge #9                                                                                      Union Lodge #43

   December 4, 2002                                                                                        May 9, 2003

   Leroy Taylor Sr.                                                                                          Albert Jones

   Hamma-Hamma Lodge #35                                                                         Arthur Ury Lodge #73

   January 5, 2003                                                                                            May 13, 2003

Man that is born of a woman is of a few days, and full of trouble. He come forth like a flower, and is cut down, he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. (JOB 14ch vs. 1, 2).

STATE OF THE NATION

Our nation has been under siege since the tragedy of 9-11. The way we travel, the way we think of our neighbor and even the way we save. There are some in this nation that had a fear of flight before 9-11, if you mention travel on a plane to them now they will go into hysteria. We now have doubt when we see one caring a Koran or wearing a kufu. The economy has went to a recession most of our saving has been depleted because of the make shift accounting cooperation’s have been using. The stock market is down and cooperation’s are moving from locations were they formed to get a better tax break.

These simple fears have brought this country into police actions around the world. Our young men are sacrificing a great part of their life to accommodate the fears of most of us in this nation. We in this country should be proud that the young men of this country have step up and giving their all for us and we should be thanking God everyday for them.

STATE OF THE CRAFT

In the beginning of this year we had some awesome tasks to accomplish. One was to bring an insurance package back to this Grand Lodge for you to accept or reject. My brethren a lot of work went into this and we need to thank the Chairman, PGM Kenneth Swanigan and his committee for a job well done. He and his committee worked a lot of hours putting something together that would benefit this great jurisdiction.

One of the other tasks that we had to accomplish was to complete two sets of proceedings and get them to you in a timely manner. We also need to thank Grand Secretary Gilbert McClary who did an outstanding job. He worked diligently to complete getting those proceedings out to you.

Our code requires an outside audit to be completed every three years. We noticed one had to be completed to be in compliance with our code. This audit was to be completed, not as a “witch-hunt” but to find out where we were financially and how we can improve all methods of operation. A copy of the audit will be with the internal audit report.

We filed our taxes this year, which was great, but we were sent a bill for not filing in the previous year. We begged forgiveness and the IRS forgave the debt. When we try to do right, good thing happen to us.

If we look at a situation as the glass being half full instead of half empty it will change your perspective on this year’s improvement of your Grand Lodge. Training this year has taken on new meaning. We are really getting something out of training instead of just been there. The participation at Officer training in January we thought was outstanding. R.W. Terry, we want to thank you and all who worked with you. The Spring Workshop was an overwhelming success. We thank each of you Worshipful Masters that sit on that panel. You did an excellent job in preparing yourself to field the questions that were asked. It was our hope to start getting the leadership of the future prepared, because if we don’t start now we will die on vine without producing any good fruit.

It is important that we view what has happened in the past week as a step in the right direction and not as an obstacle that we continue to fight over. We must use all of our skills of patience and compassion to bring this jurisdiction closer together and moving forward on the same accord with peace and harmony being at the forefront of our agenda.

Brethren what ever we do let it be for the good of the jurisdiction. We have a monumental task before us, but I have every confidence that if we exercise the principle tenets of Freemasonry, we can achieve this greater good, which will be in the best interest of our Grand Lodge.

As most of you know, I suspended the Charter of Harmony Lodge No.2 on December 11, 2002, under my authority as Grand Master for acts, which I deem to be a serious breach of our Masonic Code and Masonic Law in general. The question before you is “should I be sustained in my actions.” Whichever way this Grand Lodge decides in this matter the outcome will be final. In retrospect, if the Grand Lodge sustains the actions of the Grand Master then Harmony Lodge’s charter will remain suspended and they would have to wait another year before they can submit an appeal to this grand body to be reinstated. Sometimes in making a decision, I feel we have to consider two attributes, justice and mercy. In dispensing justice we have to take corrective measures in accordance with the law and then hope and pray the membership understands why the action was necessary.

Additionally it is sometimes prudent to temper justice with mercy. Therefore, if I am sustained in my action, I recommend that the charter of Harmony Lodge #2 be reinstated at the close of this Grand Lodge Session. This recommendation is based upon my strong belief that this will be in the best interest of this Grand Lodge.

We have been given a win, win situation. It’s up to us on how we use it to move forward to build this jurisdiction into something we can be proud of and every one else who want to be apart of. We must remove the bitterness towards one another and show brotherly love, but be every cautious of the ones who speaks negative. Always be positive and let the beauty of masonry continue to shine brightly throughout our great jurisdiction.

Now that you have heard all of the doom and gloom let’s get back to the bright side of things. Over all our lodges in this District are doing well with what is happening in the Middle-East. We are very fortunate to have the Lodges in existence and still working. We have complete lodges down range as DDGM Andrew Morgan has said. In May of this year, District Number Nine together with Oklahoma Jurisdiction, Illinois Jurisdiction, Massachusetts Jurisdiction, Georgia Jurisdiction and the American Grand Lodge sponsored the Special Olympics and donated a combined total of $10,000.00. We had over 250 Masonic volunteers who worked as huggers and aides to those special kids and each participant came away after that experience with a great sense of accomplishments. This should tell us that most of us still have the love for Masonry and the passion and desire to make this the best jurisdiction in the world, bar none. With  mission accomplishment and the turn over in Bosnia, James E. Chase #81 returned their Charter to DDGM Andrew Morgan. He requested and I granted his request to keep the Charter in Europe because the lodge members would be returning to some part of Europe or Italy within the next 12 to 18 months.

In District 10 during the year we still managed to observe all mandatory celebrations, many of which were observed jointly in fellowship with lodges of our sister jurisdictions. Throughout the year, organizations in District 10 participated in numerous events and celebrations on their installations such as the events and programs during Black History Month, the installations’ BOSS Program (Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers) and Army Community Service programs such as Youth Services. Lodges are also involved into benevolent projects and programs in the Korean communities such as the support of Amerasian Orphans who are still prevalent in the Korean communities. Though not residing in orphanages as in previous years, these children are still being neglected by Korean society and overlooked by the country of their fathers. To DDGM James Sheppard for keeping your district up and going we thank you.

District 6 we thank you for stepping up to the plate to hold the Far-East District Session. Time was getting very short and most of the members could not get leave to attend in the Philippines. DDGM Leroy Trent and District 6 took the initiative to take on the task of having the Far-East District Session in mainland Japan.

In District 7 we have established ties with Commanding Generals and Commanding Officers through out the island of Okinawa showing them by deeds and not words the benefits of allowing the MWPHGL of Washington and Jurisdiction to operate on the several bases located on the Island. Donating over $9,000 to fraternal assistance, to the community, and to other worthy charitable organizations. We gave support to the Amerasian School with school supplies; this included an Amerasian orphanage as far away as the Philippines. DDGM Poole, you and the members on Okinawa is practicing Freemasonry at its finest.

Our stateside Districts is also working for the betterment of our great Jurisdiction in District 1 with the Laying of a Cornerstone at Greater Mount Baker Baptist Church with MWGM James N. Reid Jr. of the Grand Lodge of Washington, the parade and picnic for a Centennial Celebration, District No. 2 laying of a Cornerstone with the grand Lodge of Washington for the Tacoma Art Museum with DGM Wendell O. Hutchings at the helm, numerous church calls, District No. 11 with the Unity March with the Grand Lodge of Washington and the support of the Meadows Elementary School in Lacey, WA. The Districts on the East Side of the mountain are preparing for Roslyn on August 2, 2003. We will have a parade, a short ceremony at the gravesite and a picnic with the Craven family and friends.

As you can see most of us are working together and striving to do the things we were taught when we came into masonry. That only tells us that we are professionals and we can stand out among men and Masons.

FRATERNAL RELATIONS

Our motto this year is bridging the Gap between our brother and sister, but we found that bridging the Gap between all body’s works well. We have a wonderful working relationship with OES and HOJ. They have supported us on every occasion and we have tried giving our support to them. The York Rite is becoming well established in our Jurisdiction. The Right Eminent Grand Commander Larry Williams and others requested permission for a Grand Guild. A request was made to MWGM Benjamin Hooks to allow Right Eminent Commander Michael Steele from the Jurisdiction of Tennessee to come out and set up the Grand Guild. Permission was granted to Right Eminent Commander Larry Williams to set up a Grand Guild. We worked as a team when the United Supreme Council was here in May. There were some outstanding reviews on how wonderfully well we worked together with the Scottish Rite Body. The Illustrious Potentate Barry Carter stated that his Shrine Temple would like assist the Grand lodge in remodeling the Grand East. I have enjoyed our relationship with the Grand Lodge of Washington and to work with them has been an honor.

OFFICERS

The elected officers were briefed on what was expected of them in the beginning of the year. Your officers have worked there perspective jobs, most of which was in our code. There was very little assigned that was not the normal thing that every officer has done in prior years. There would be no way for you to judge fairly unless you have something to gage by.  We should be looking at what it takes to move this great jurisdiction forward and you can’t move forward by looking back. Some of the appointed officers also fulfilled their duties in an excellent manner.

GRAND MASTER CONFERENCE

The Grand Masters Conference was held in Myrtle Beach, SC. A discussion on the Prince Hall Bust came on the floor and this Jurisdiction had promised to pay $1500 of which DDGM Leroy Trent donated $450. Brethren we need to pay this as soon as possible. There was discussion on the $500 to be seated to have a voice and vote matters pertaining to the Grand Masters Conference. It was discussed on how the money could be used to support Maharry University that has a curriculum for Black Nurses and Doctors. The Prince Hall Masonic Directory has been published. If you would like to get a copy it must be order through the Grand Secretary.

In May of 2004 the Grand Masters Conference will be held here in this hotel. There will be a Committee appointed to plan some events and all proceeds from the events and tours will go to this Grand Lodge. We need your support to make this a memorable Grand Masters Conference.

COURT ACTIONS

Due to a pending court action, a subsequent injunction was filed by Past Grand Master William C. Rheubottom appealing the actions taken against him by this Grand Lodge.

The Superior Court of Washington and for King County convened on 11 July 2003, to hear matters in this case, which resulted in the court granting his motion for preliminary injunction. Said declaration by the court reinstated Past Grand Master Rheubottom to full and regular Masonic standing with all rights, benefits and privileges afforded all regular masons be restored.

The Court further decreed that the members of Harmony Lodge #2 be able to participate at this Annual Grand Session upon payment of their dues to Headquarters Lodge #75.

LITIGATION

This Grand Lodge is in litigation with Kelton Dorsey because of an incident that happened on February 25, 2000. It seems that there was a dance at the Grand East and an altercation happen on 23rd Ave.

And we are being sued which is all we are at liberty to speak on at this time. But we must change the way we lease or rent our building. The Building Mangers in Project #1 and Project #2 has been made aware of situation. New lease agreements have been prepare and will be forwarded to projects as soon as possible.

CONCLUSION

It is important that we take the relations away from the situation, then view the problems as they really are. Some of us get a skewed view because we are looking for blame every place except where it really is. Look in the mirror and ask that person you see, have you done everything you can to improve this great jurisdiction. If the answer no then we have a lot of work to do. But for those of you that said yes, we thank you from the bottom of our heart.

On a personal note I would thank those of you who gave me gifts. I wanted to do this in a formal setting and the setting can be no more formal than this. I thank you from the very bottom of my heart.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1.  Change the name of Headquarters Lodge #75 to William H. Upton Lodge #75. If this is done we will always have William H. Upton’s memory as part of this Jurisdiction.

2.  Require a review of the records of each project by the audit Chairman every quarter and a report to the Grand Master and Comptroller Board along with all the rental agreements.

Fraternally submitted,

/s/JULIAN L. HARRIS