M.W. JIMMY SIMMONS

MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND MASTER

Greetings:

Through the Blessings of the Divine Creator and Grace of the Supreme Architect of the Universe we are assembled in this the 76th Annual Communication of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington and Jurisdiction, in the city of Vancouver, Washington, where the Columbia River divides Washington from the State of Oregon.

I am indeed grateful to once again stand before this Grand body and give accountability of my past actions.

Let us at this time ask the Divine guidance on the Proceeding of this session. Brother Grand Chaplain lead us to the throne of Grace.

I am happy to report that the condition of our Jurisdiction is good. Our financial affairs are in good order. Peace and harmony still prevail among the membership. My challenge to you today is that Past Masters, Grand Lodge Officers return to your local lodges and give the advice to the Worshipful Master and his officers lie needs to bin ld a strong lodge, by lots of hard work we have been able to maintain our mem­bership at its present level.

We wish to thank Vancouver lodge #47, F. & A.M. Vancouver, Washington for inviting this Grand Lodge to hold its 76th Grand Session here.  Thanks to R.W. Carlton B. Tucker, Chairman of Grand Entertainment Committee for their hard work, and a job well done.

NECROLOGY

In keeping with the memorable custom and practice by free and accepted masons, let us pause here and pay our masonic tribute to 17 members of our jurisdiction and the passing of the Most Worshipful Grand Master, John U. Lewis, of the State of Louisiana.

I was glad when they said unto me lets go into the house of the Lord.

STATE OF CRAFT

It gives me great pleasure to report on the condition of the Craft.  I am pleased with the cooperation from the Worshipful Masters, Grand Lodge Officers, R.W. District Deputy Grand Masters of our jurisdiction. We are experiencing in some lodges membership growth and some others a decrease in membership.

We suffered a great loss with closing of Mandarin Lodge #57 of Taipei, Taiwan.  We are striving to bring into existing a new lodge on Okinawa, Japan.  Marianas Travelers Lodge #49 at Anderson A.F.B. Guam is in need of a building.  Due to the slow process of information our building committee chairman, P.G.M. Louis R. Solomon cannot give the assistance that is needed in that area.

Hamma Hamma Lodge #35 and Madrona Chapter #14, O.E.S., Bremerton, Washington are making efforts to acquire a building.

CONFERENCE OF GRAND MASTERS

It was again my pleasure to travel to Miami, Florida for the 60th Annual Conference of Prince Hall Grand Masters, May 9th thru the 12th, 1979 which was held at the inter-Continental Hotel.  Dr. Rudolph Bradley host Grand Master.  In attendance was the Sovereign Grand Commander, Russell S. Gideon, and the R.W. Grand Junior Warden, Billy V. Morris, the conference was enjoyable and interesting.

98TH ANNUAL SESSION OF SUPREME COUNCIL

The 98th Session of the Supreme Council, Northern Jurisdiction, M.S.A. was held at Toronto, Ontario, May 12th, thru 15th, 1979.  The delegate from the state of Washington gave loyal support to our Sovereign Grand  Commander, Russell S. Gideon.  His program was enjoyed by all.

FRATERNAL RELATIONS

I am also glad to report that the most cordial relations exist between the Order of Eastern star and the Grand High Court, Heroines of Jericho, Grand Worthy Matron Sister Chase and Worthy Grand Patron, Willie B. Dunn.  Most Ancient Grand Matron, Willie Mae Gray and Worthy Grand Joshua, Erskine Solomon.  They have worked faithful with the Grand Master and Grand Lodge program through this masonic year.

SPRING CONFERENCE

Our Annual Spring Conference workshop was held on March 10th, 1979 at the Masonic Temple, 306 24th Avenue South, Seattle Washington.  This workshop called together the Worshipful Masters, Wardens, Secretaries and Treasurers of all subordinate lodges.  This instruction to the lodges was well received.  The attendance for the workshop was outstanding ands much interest was shown.  My thanks to the Grand Lodge Officers for their support and participation and the arrangement by Brother Irvin Hawkins and his committee.  Thanks for a job well done.

THE KNIGHTS OF PYTHAGORAS

At the last Grand Session we adopted the Knights of Pythagoras in our Jurisdiction.  Since that time our R.W. Grand Junior Warden Billy V. Morris has been working to establish and organize the department.  With the wisdom and knowledge gained a the workshop in Miami, Florida, May 8, 1979, the Grand Master and Grand Junior Warden will be able to do a better job with the youth department in the coming months ahead.

PRINCE HALL DAY CELEBRATION

Our Annual Prince Hall Day Service was held on Saturday, September 30, 1978 with a banquet honoring United States District Judge Jack E. Tanner of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Washington and Jurisdiction.  The speaker was Past Master Herbert Dailey of Lee Grant Lodge #63, F. & A.M., Tacoma, Washington.  A large number of the entire masonic family gathered for this great program.  M.W. Past Grand Master Frank Russell and his committee did a splendid job.  On December 19, 1979 a donation of $1,000.00 was presented to the board of directors of the Tacoma, Washington Goodwill Industrial.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1.         After having met all Grand lodge Requirements, confirming to all rules and regulations, I recommend that Okinawa Military Lodge U.D. be granted a Charter at this Grand Session.

2.         I recommend that the Phylaxis Society be granted permission to hold Its Executive Session in the City of Tacoma, Washington March 7—10, 1980.

3.         I recommend that the appeal from Brother Willie Mitchell of Pride of Orient Lodge #55, be referred to the committee of Appeals and Grievances.

4.         That the Grand Master be sustained in his action allowing Mandarin Lodge #57 to donate $500 to two children for eye surgery at the Children Hospital  in Taipei, Taiwan.

5.         That this Grand lodge honor the request from Mandarin Lodge #57on behalf Brother Kenneth C. Patton be carried on the roll of the Grand Lodge.  Brother Patton is stricken with an ailment known as Hodgkin’s Disease.

CONCLUSION

We are thankful for the tender mercies of an all wise God, who has spared us to meet once again around our sacred atlas.

May I welcome each of you here today with a heart that is filled with joy we therefore ask each of you to look like, be like and act like masons in your every day life, ever mindful of Solomon undertaking on your part as Freemasons.

Fraternally yours,

Jimmy Simmons