M\W\ JULIAN L. HARRIS

MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND MASTER

First let us give thanks to the Supreme Being for his graciousness and the blessings that he bestowed on this Most Worshipful Prince Hall Prince Hall Grand Lodge. I want to thank each of you that took time out of your busy schedule to be here to take care of the business of this Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand lodge. May GOD bless us through out this Grand Communication.

NECROLOGY

It is with profound grief that the inexorable law of fate has decreed that our good Brethren be taken from us and obliged to move through the Celestial Gate to enter that bourn from which no traveler returns.

   Jasper R. Perry                                                                                  lsiah Simon

   Cassia Lodge No. 5                                                                             Harmony Lodge No. 2

   July 6, 2003                                                                                          January 1, 2004

   Juan Serrano                                                                                     Isaac Gaiters

   Pride of Giessen Lodge No. 63                                                           True Resolution Lodge No. 16

   July 24, 2003                                                                                       January 9, 2004

   Claude Oatis Jr.                                                                                Albert C. Knight

   Harmony Lodge No. 2                                                                         Cassia Lodge No. 5

   August 9, 2003                                                                                    February 3, 2004

   Nobel Williams                                                                                  Erskine Arthur Solomon Jr.

   Egyptian Lodge No. 44                                                                        Evergreen Lodge No. 9

   August 15, 2003                                                                                  February 25, 2004

  Squire Moore Jr.                                                                                Alonza H. Jennings

   Egyptian Lodge No. 44                                                                        Cassia Lodge No. 5

   August 22, 2003                                                                                  March 24, 2004

   Ernest Ellison                                                                                    Louis J. Green, Jr.

   Harmony Lodge No. 2                                                                         Daniel “Chappie” James Lodge No. 72

   September 20, 2003                                                                           April17, 2004

   Willie Herman Lucas Sr.                                                                  Luezell Johnson

   Fred U. Harris Lodge No. 72                                                               Pioneer Lodge No. 39

   September 20, 2003                                                                           April 27, 2004

   James West Jr.                                                                                  Eddie Hudson Jackson Jr.

   Hercules Lodge No. 17                                                                       Hercules Lodge No. 17

   September 25, 2003                                                                           April 19, 2004

   Guy J. Wickliffe                                                                                 John E. Peterson

   Hercules Lodge No. 17                                                                       Mabuhay Lodge No. 59

   November 8, 2003                                                                              April 7, 2003

   Clarence Alonzo Mumphord                                                           Cline D.B. Farrow

   Cassia Lodge No. 5                                                                            Herman E. Bradley Lodge #74

   November 16, 2003                                                                            April 30, 2004

  Timothy Toney

  Torii Lodge No. 46

  March 28, 2004

These men have laid down their working tools of life and have given a white stone and in that stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he have received it.

STATE OF THE NATION

Our nation is involved in wars in two countries Afghanistan and Iraq. Our young men are giving their lives in the fight against terrorism, and many are losing limbs. Our young men have been extended because we don’t have enough personnel in our military. Moreover we are thinking of bring the draft back and, calling back those that have retired,

We must continue to pray for our men and that this conflict be ended so peace and harmony all around the earth. Not only pray but also get active and get out and vote because your opinion counts in every decision this nation makes.

STATE OF THE CRAFT

Two years ago you gave me a great honor and the responsibility of carrying the torch for this Most Worshipful Grand Lodge. To uphold our timeless principle and traditions and to adapt them to the new challenges’ we faced, as every leader must do. That is exactly what I have tried to do. I will never hold a position more sacred than that of Grand Master, nor will enter a more meaningful covenant than that I made with you.

At the beginning of the year I was faced with a decision of paying an insurance payment to Standard Insurance Company there were five premiums to be paid. It was an easy decision because it was cheaper to pay the payment than to pay five death benefits.

Due to Litigation of an altercation that happen in 2000 our insurance was canceled because of the amount of money being set aside for the lawsuit and placed us in a substandard category. The only insurance companies that would insure us were the likes of Lloyds of London for the sum of $60,000 a year. As of April 20, 2004 the case was settled and we are trying to get cheaper insurance. As soon as we can get our buildings inspected we will get insurance for about one third of what we are currently paying.

We have two of our building that has been a sore thumb the Spokane Building and the Seattle Building. The Spokane building, I was called by the DDGM saying the electricity would be turn off. My question to him was who was paying rent? In Seattle the building last month I was handed the bills for the building. I sent them back to the building manger and asked who is paying rent?

Overall Our Jurisdiction is doing well most of the districts are working in there respective communities. The work that is being done shows the character of our great organization. We are making lasting impression on individuals and our organization is one they want to join. As in all organizations some of our members are aging and the will is there, but not the energy to get community involvement.

FRATERNAL RELATIONS

We have a good working relation with all concordant bodies working in the Jurisdiction of Washington. The York Rite bodies are trying get their annual communications change to also meet in the month of July. This, in it self, Will save our overseas members a lot of money and leave time. It is my belief that this will increase participation in both annual communications. We are working with ‘Far East Scottish Rite to see if we can have our Far-East District Session and their COD in the same week. This will also save our members money and leave time.

There are several Grand Lodges that have written letters requesting the consideration of fraternal relations these letters have been ‘turned over to the committee on Prince Hall Commission on Recognition.

Our relationship with all the Grand Lodges is still flourishing. I want to especially thank the Grand Lodge of Washington for letting this Grand Lodge be apart of signing for the Master Mason License plate.

GRAND MASTER CONFERENCE

We hosted the Grand Master Conference this year and it was very successful. First I want to thank those who made it a success. RW P.J. Price and his committee for the excellent souvenir book and WB Henry Sheegog and his committee for the exciting tour they provided. RW. Charlie Walker and his committee for the work they did in getting the registration packets together. I really want to mention WB James Powell, Emanuel Taylor, William Spenser for being there when you were needed. Thank all of you that came by and helped with the hospitality.  And most of all thank you Deputy Grand Master Wendell O. Hutchings for making everything work and come together in its proper order.

The Grand Master’s Conference elected new officers who were MWGM William O. Jones of Alabama as President and MWGM Benjamin Hooks of Tennessee as Vice President. The Grand Master Conference donated $1500 to the E. Wesley Foundation. Thanks to the Guest speakers for giving up their honorarium to be named by this Grand Lodge.

CONCLUSION

Two years ago I stood here your newly elected Grand Master I knew and was fully aware of my own limitations and had no intentions of competing with any of my great predecessors of this office. I expressed complete confidence that the administration then started and now ending would fully measured up to our high standards. I base that confidence upon the assistance I was certain would come from former Grand Masters, the officers, the committees and above all from the membership. My confidence has been fully justified. Thanks to all, the years have recorded a steady rise in power and prestige of this Grand Lodge. Each month has been marked by a steady and healthy rise in our membership.

Now I come to the end of the road. The friendly cooperation and the warm Comradeship of all of you have dispelled the difficulties; the path proved a pleasant one, and the two years, for me were memorable and happy. You have answered promptly and wholeheartedly to every call I made upon you for service. The two years have heartened me with their enriching experiences. They have brought me many new and wonderful friendships, which are now among my most cherished possessions. My heartfelt thanks to all of my fellow members as I step back into the ranks to serve under one whose record of accomplishments ensures us that under his leadership our beloved jurisdiction will go forward to greater achievements.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1.         I recommend that the standing resolution on building assessment of $100.00 be continued.

2.         I recommend that Inland Empire Lodge #3 and Prefect Ashier Lodge #40 be combined into one Lodge, so that the energy of the old’ and young is combined to benefit the community of Spokane.

3.         I recommend that P.M. James Jackson of J.C. Logan Lodge #53 be made a life member.

4.         The Grand Lecturer position be an appointed position, whereby the Grand Master can appoint Lecturers in different areas.

5.         I recommend that a Master Mason Apron shall be fourteen-inches wide; white and may have a blue binding and edge with a Mason Emblem.

Fraternally submitted

/s/JULIAN L. HARRIS

Grand Master

SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT OF THE GRAND MASTER

PGM William C. Rheubottom and the Members of Harmony Lodge #2 filed a motion in King County Superior Court for Contempt of Court for not being allowed to vote in our last Grand Session and for him not being reinstated into Masonry and requesting the expulsion to be lifted from Charles Berry in the motion filed.

The .Court ordered P.G.M. Rheubottom be given a letter of reinstatement and Charles Berry be given a letter reinstating him to a status of Non-affiliated Mason.

On July 9, 2004 another motion was filed by members of Harmony Lodge No. 2 for a special dispensation to meet on Saturday, July 10, 2004. The court ordered that a special dispensation be given to Harmony Lodge #2.

And I will have to show cause on contempt on July 21, 2004 in King County Superior Court for this Grand Lodge and myself.