M\W\
KENNETH B. ANTHONY
MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND
MASTER
To:
Right Worshipful Charlie Walker III, Deputy Grand Master; Most Worshipful
Past Grand Masters, Visiting Most Worshipful Grand Masters, Visiting Most
Worshipful Past Grand Masters, Right Worshipful and Worshipful Grand
Lodge Officers, Visiting Right Worshipful and Worshipful Grand Lodge
officers,
Worshipful Masters, Past Masters, Wardens, and Brethren All.
Greetings,
As Grand
Master of Mason for the Most Worshipful Prince Grand Lodge of Washington and
Jurisdiction, I extend to each of you a warm welcome.
It is very
difficult indeed far me to express adequately my appreciation of the honor
that was conferred upon me by electing me to serve you as Most Worshipful
Grand Master.
Agreeable
to the established tradition of this Grand Lodge the Most Worshipful Grand
Master is expected to give an annual address. The hour has come.
I deeply
appreciate the privilege of addressing an organization of such humble
beginnings being Influential and of strong Association with its Prestige and
strength. May it always continue to use its position for the common good of
humanity.
Necrology 2008
- 2009
James S.
Larkin June 26,
2008 Inland Empire #3
Roosevelt
Newman Sr.
July 29, 2008 Cassia #5
Kenny Raub
August 7, 2008 King David #87
Tonny Sims
October 29, 2008
Vancouver #47
Charles H.
Jones
November 10, 2008
Abiff #37
Levi
Townsend (LM)
February 9, 2009
Martin Luther King Jr. #65
Wilbert
Johnson February 18,
2009
Abiff #37
Tyree
Fleeks
February 26, 2009
Harmony #2
Oliver
Coleman March 30, 2009
Fred U. Harris #70
William B.
Wade
April 10, 2009 Mabuhay #59
William
Carl Lewis
April 10, 2009 Cassia #5
Ciprian
Perez April 14,
2009 Booker T. Washington #91
Man is
like vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.
Psalms
144:4
State of the
Nation
It is not
my intentions to bore you by reiterating news that has flooded the headlines
this past year. Instead I will briefly recapture things that affect this
great Nation. Such as high Gas prices, Foreclosure of Homes, High Health
Cost, The Stock Market Crashing, Job losses being higher than it has been in
a decade causing family’s to be unable to feed, cloth, and educate their
kids. This year the first Afro American Barack Obama was elected President
of the United States. This brought about a new hope for change that would
change the world in the way people think and live there life. This
generated an interest like never before for politics. The record show this
was the highest voting turn-out in history with young voters showing more
involvement than ever before.
The Pacific
Rim Conference of Grand Masters & Grand Matrons
The
Pacific Rim Conference of Grand Masters & Grand Matrons was held in
Anchorage Alaska. Jurisdictions represented this year were California,
Oregon, Washington and Host Alaska. Absent was Hawaii. Each Grand Master
addressed any concerns that may affect their jurisdiction. Topic discussed
was the money sent to the Supreme Council for the Knights of Pythagoras (K.O.P.)
with no report of where the money is spent. The protective order from the
Imperial Potentate of the Shrine and overseas Brothers demits. Next year
Washington Jurisdiction will host the Pacific Rim Conference of Grand
Masters & Grand Matrons.
Conference of
Grand Masters
The annual
council of Grand Masters and Grand Worthy Matrons were held in the city of
Los Angeles, California May 17 - 23. The president for the Conference of
Grand Masters, M.W. Sheldon Redden opened with a welcome and greeting, M.W.
Redden then ask all Grand Masters to stand give their name and
jurisdiction. There were Forty-four (44) Grand Masters in attendance. Some
brief highlights of the conference were:
The
protective order, Holding Temple and Holding Lodge in the Jurisdiction of
Louisiana generated a discussion that lasted over Three (3) hours. There
was mention of every jurisdiction breaking ties with the jurisdiction of
Louisiana and with the Shrine. It Talk of each Jurisdiction starting its own
Prince Hall Shrine. After all that lengthen discussion the decision was
made to break recognition with the Shrine on the Conference of Grand Masters
level only and each jurisdiction govern themselves.
Elected
for the President for the Conference of Grand Masters this year was M.W.G.M.
Wilber Curtis for the Texas Jurisdiction. Over all the conference was very
informative
UNITED SUPREME
COUNCIL
The United
Supreme Council was held in Rochester, New York May 22-25. Washington State
was well represented. All three ILL Deputies were present; S.G.I.G. Andrew
Morgan, Deputy of Orient for Europe; S.G.I.G. Daniel L. Lunsford, Deputy of
the Orient of Washington and Oregon State; S.G.I.G. Dwight R. Johnson,
Deputy for the Orient of Far East.
During the
opening all Grand Masters was received and invited to the East. This
conference like all was very informative.
state of the
craft
District #1
The
District Deputy reports: R.W. Melvin Lozan Jr. has a willingness to work
with each lodge of his district. The District meetings still lack full
attendance. However they are more together than in the past.
District #2
The
District Deputy report: R.W. Julius W. Brown Jr. continues in keep this
district involved with the community and Church Calls. Thanksgiving and
Christmas food baskets for the needy, also eggs for the youth Easter Egg
Hunt just to mention a few. Through district meetings he has kept District
#2 motivated.
District #3 & #4
District
Deputy Opris Vincent King and the member in District #3 bring to life the
true meaning of small in numbers but big in heart. With the few brothers on
hand this district continues to practice masonry, brotherly love along with
involvement in the community. On the other hand District #4 hand District
#4 has struggle to meet and keep above board with the Lodge Hall being an
issue for the past several years and now with a location to meet I look for
progress real soon.
District #6
The lodges In Mainland
Japan under District Deputy Gregory Nicholson are doing what mason should be
doing by making many charitable contributions and programs. Considering the
present of the Oklahoma Jurisdiction the Prince Hall masons in Mainland
Japan still represent this Grand Lodge well keeping the faith with the Grand
Lodge of Japan and at this present moment we now have a UD Lodge located in
Mainland Japan.
District #7
Located in Okinawa
Japan with Torii Lodge #46 and Okinawa Military Iodge #68 under District
Deputy R.W. Derrick Williams who is doing an excellent job taking into
considering most of the brothers are out on military assignment which make
very hard to keep in step with what they are custom to. And I am sure this
will change when their members return from duty.
District #8
This
District under R.W. Clifton Claybrooks is doing well bring in new member and
dealing with the same problems all the overseas districts have and that is
Oklahoma Jurisdiction moving in.
District #9
This
District under HPGM/MW Andrew Morgan as in previous years has their Members
dispersed throughout the world in places like Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iraq,
Qatar, Kuwait and throughout the United States which generate a situation as
how to keep these Brothers as members of the Washington Jurisdiction
considering the closure of bases in the next year or so. Which will causes
lodges to relocate also with brothers being deployed and not able to meet as
a lodge will generate an interest to demit. And we well know the Oklahoma
Jurisdiction will issue a Charter in the snap of a finger. Brothers to keep
up with the times this Grand need to come up with some language that will
allow the Grand Master to charter a lodge other than issue dispensation for
a UD lodge outside of session, such as a letter in lieu of a Charter.
District 10
R.W.
Sidney R. Thomas Jr., in Seoul Korea while working together to issue they
are ritualistically and administratively prepared and still working with the
local schools and community in excellent manner. Keep up the good work.
District 12
This
district under R.W. Norman Macon is small in numbers and doing well.
Mabuhay Lodge #59 is located in the Philippines and they represent this
Grand Lodge well by working in the community and closely with the Grand
Lodge of the Philippines.
official acts
2008
August 9
Letter to Jurisdiction Re~ Reinstatement of PM Ronald M.
Harrell Sr.
October 22
Letter to M.W. James F. Troutt II (P.G.M) Re: Appointment as
Code Committee Chairman
October 22
Letter to Jurisdiction Re: Delayed printing of Ritual and
Book of Instruction
October 22
Letter to R.W. LaRoi Carter Re: Appointment as Jurisprudence
Committee Chairman
2009
January 23
Letter to Melvin Jr. Re: Establishment of a Grand Lodge.
January 23
Letters to WB Justus Singleton and RW Percy Re: appointment
to Investigation Committee for charges filed by P.M. Samuel J. Hunt II
March 21
Certified letter to P.M. Charles B. Thomas Jr. #73 Re:
Suspension from Masonry
March 23
Certified Letter to P.M. George Draper #17 Re: Suspension from
Masonry.
May 6
Letter to R.W. Julius W. Brown, Jr. Re: Grand Master
demit
June
1 Letter to P.M. Samuel J. Hunt IT Re: Results of
Investigation of charges against P.M. Julius W. Brown Jr. The committee was
unable to
substantiate
the validity of the charges
June 1
Letter to R.W. Julius W. Brown Jr. Re: Reinstatement
to Position as District Deputy Grand Master -District No. 2
June 3
Letter to PM Charles B. Thomas Jr. Re; Title 205,
Section.02 assign an addition 182 days to suspension
June 3
Letter to Jurisdiction Re: Title 205, Section 02
assign an additional 182 Days 10 suspension
June 13
Letter to P.M. Edward T. Crumb Re: PM Charles Berry an
additional appointment to Grand Master's Commission No. 2009-02
June 13
Letter to P.M. Charles Berry Re: Appointment to Grand
Masters Commission No. 2009-02
edict
2008
August 13
No Hazing during Masonic Initiation and ritualistic ceremonies.
proclamations
edicts
#1
Celebration of Prince Hall on about September 17, 2008
#2
Election, Installation of Officers on or before Dec. 27, 2008 and Observance
of Festival of Saint John the Divine on or about December 17, 2008
#3
Observance of Saint John the Baptist Sunday, June 24, 2009
#4
Date and Location of the l06thAnnualCommunicationandSubmittal of Annual
Reports by June 20, 2009
Closing
My Brothers, as I come
to a close I ask what makes a good Leader? Courage and loyalty
understanding, Initiative and Vision with a strong saving sense of humor.
In task as Most
Worshipful Grand Master I have always tried "to love justice, to do Mercy
and walk humbly with my God. In the language of the oath of my office an in
conformity with the spirit of that oath." I have faithfully discharged my
duties.”
There were very trying
days, days where the qualities of constructive leadership were put to a
severe test. People tend to make rules for others and exceptions for
themselves.
We should be about
building Character! In this organization Build it well, Build it Straight,
Strong and True. Build it Clean, High and Broad. Build it for the eyes of
God.
On the Five Points of
Fellowship I ask you as a Mason are you willing to go on Foot even bare foot
on a worthy master mason error in this case the M.W. Grand Lodge if there
are necessary requirements to do so.
Second are you willing
to go Keens to Knee in a effort to help a Brother and again in this case the
M.W. Grand Lodge.
Furthermore are you
willing to work with this MW Grand Lodge (Most Worshipful Grand Master) by
standing Breast to Breast as to make it safe and secures from Persecution,
wrong doing and disrespect to all.
Next you should
stretch forward your hand and supp this MW Grand Lodge (Most Worshipful
Grand Master) in a effort to keep it in tax, to protect its well being and
Stop destruction from within.
Mouth to Ear should be
a method of constructive criticism to in enhance the good of our fraternity.
We can continue to
allow the revolving door of disrespect to cause destruction as we have in
the past. If this M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge is to prosper we must be
about the business at hand and leave the mess at home.
WE NEED TO START RIGHT
NOW TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
All year I have ask
God to lead me threw the Valley and Shadow that some wish I might fail. And
that you Judge me only by the Content of my character.
Brothers I am sure you
realize that I am grateful to you for this honor and enthusiastic support
which has come from the membership which has been inspiring. I extend my
heartfelt Thanks to each of you for the opportunity to serve this Grand
Lodge.
And to my executive
staff “YOU KNOW.”
Recommendations
1.
I recommend
a standing committee be established on the accomplishment of the Grand Lodge
Annual Proceedings.
Rational:
To get accurate Proceedings out in a timely manner.
2.
I recommend
an assessment of $50.00 from each member and the money is earmark for
“Building Repair” only.
Rational:
To help financially assist in the repair of our ageing buildings
3.
I recommend
that at this setting of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge 106th Annual Grand
Session the M.W. Grand Master be given authority to create and
letter-in-lieu of a charter whenever necessary for overseas
lodges in order to keep this Grand Lodge competitive with other Prince
Hall Jurisdiction abroad.
Rational:
The Oklahoma Jurisdiction is vastly spreading throughout the overseas areas
and known to issue Charters at the snap of a finger
4.
I recommend
that this Grand Lodge receive the Resolution submitted by R.W. Derrick A.
Williams to amend language in Article 7 and in conjunction with the
Article 7, Section 7.01 and 7.02 of the constitution be
received.
Rational:
In order to establish consistence in planning and implementation of both
long and short Range Grand Lodge programs and projects.
5.
That all
elected and appointed Grand Lodge Officers except the Grand Master pay a
$75.00 deposit for their respective Apron and Collar of the position
serving;
that will be return at the end of their tenure.
Rational:
Brother leaving office and not turning their Apron and Collar in and in
some cases the Brother has passed away leaving the Grand Lodge unable to
collect this Grand Lodge asset.
6.
I recommend
that a UD Lodge on Atsugi Naval Station in Mainland Japan be chartered and
be named Tounchon Lodge #107 at this Grand session.
Rational:
To assist with the competitiveness of increasing membership overseas in
that particular area.
Fraternally Submitted,
KENNETH B. ANTHONY
Most Worshipful Grand
Master
