M.W. JIMMY SIMMONS

MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND MASTER

To the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, Right Worshipful Grand Senior and Junior Wardens, Grand Lodge Officers, Worshipful Masters, Past Grand Masters, Brothers and Visiting Dignitaries.

Greetings:

Just a year ago, I was elected Grand Master for the third (3) time of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington and its Jurisdictions, to preside over the Craft. I come to you now as our Constitution provides, to give you an account of my labors for the past masonic year. Let each of us, in his own way pray most sincerely for the many blessings that has come to us since we last met. We have been taught as masons to look to the Grand Architect of the Universe before embarking upon any important undertakings. May the Grand Chaplain Dr. C. E. Williams invoke the blessing of Deity at this time.

I sincerely welcome each of you to the 77th Annual Communication of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Washington and its Jurisdiction, as we gather here in the City of Spokane, Washington. We trust that your travel to this session was safe and pleasant. We petition your prayers that this session will be fruitful and harmonious.

NECROLOGY

The Death Angel has again entered the ranks of our lodges and claimed some lives of our members, man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble, among those of our members who have answered the final roll call are:

·         Bro. Bernard Solomon           -2

·         Bro. Moses E. Graham          -2

·         Bro. Seward R. Frazier         -17

·         Bro. Odell Banks                   -5

·         Bro. Willie Hadley                  -5

·         Bro. Robert H. Davis             -5

·         Bro. Jack Lawrence               -5

·         Bro. William H. Seward         -5

·         Bro. Henry James                 -9

·         Bro. William E. Berry             -45

·         Bro. Sam O’Neal                    -3

·         Bro. Bertram J. Williams       -46

It reminds us to so live that when we shall cross into that promised land from whence whose borne no travel returns.

STATE OF THE CRAFT

We have in this Grand Jurisdiction 30 Blue Lodges with a total membership of 1,868, June 20, 1980.

We are happy to report to you that our Masonic Brothers are continuing to make some progress in almost every part of our Jurisdiction. Because of non-Military Activity in Taipei, Taiwan, it became necessary to pick up the charter from Beehive Lodge #60. I appointed P. M. Victor S. Baxter of Okinawa Military Lodge #68 Special District Deputy Grand Master to carry out this assignment on or before June 20, 1980.

Most of our Lodges are experiencing the lack of attendance at their meetings and therefore are hampered in their effort to carry out full and meaningful programs.

The Grand Lodge Comptroller Board has managed your finance well. They have used good and sound judgment in spending your monies.

We have been faced with the high cost of living and inflation in order for the Grand Lodge to continue to serve our Jurisdiction a Per Capital Tax increase is necessary to sustain the General Fund.

Our Building Fund Assessment has been our greatest vehicle of achievement for the Grand Jurisdiction, to continue to Build, repair improve our image of Prince Hall Masonry, it has become necessary for the Grand Lodge to continue the Building Program to meet the need of our craft. The $100.00 Building Assessment remains intact with some minor changes, which will be spelled our by a Special Committee appointed by the Grand Master.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

I am deeply proud of the officers that are serving in the Grand Lodge. To the Comptroller Board your contribution sacrifice and support given on all Grand Lodge programs has truly cemented the ties that binds each of us closer with the passing of time. Thank you for your concern and consideration.

I have had beautiful masonic cooperation from all other Grand Lodge Officers, elected and appointed, Worshipful Masters, and Past Masters, each of you have carried our your duties and responsibility.  Thank you for a job well done.

UNITED SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE SCOTTISH RITE FREEMASONRY

NORTHERN JURISDICTION

The 99th Annual Session United Supreme Council A.A.S.R. Northern Jurisdiction U.S.A., P.H.A. was held May 11-13, 1980 at the Sheraton Hotel, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I was not in attendance this year, however, there were a number of peers present to give support to our Sovereign Grand Commander, Ill. Russell S. Gideon. We are pleased to know he was reelected to a three year term.

May God continue to bless you and your family.

Our thanks go out to Ill. Levi Townsend who has been elected to the Deputy for Prince Hall Scottish Rite in the State of Washington replacing the late Joseph I. Staton, you have our loyal support. We are very proud of our Most Worshipful Past Grand Master, A. E. Pendray who was elected to receive the 33rd and last degree of Masonry on May 12, 1980 at this Annual Session. On May 31, 1980 a banquet was held in their honor which was held at the Hilton Hotel Pacific Highway So., Seattle, Washington. This program was well attended, our heartfelt thanks to the Ill. Deputy James W. Davis, Deputy for the Orient of Japan who was the Chairman for this excellent program.

FRATERNAL RELATIONS

During this past year we can state that we enjoyed fine relation­ship with all the Adoptive Rites, Order of the Eastern Stars, and Prince Hall Grand High Court Heroines of Jericho. Grand Worthy Matron Sister Eleanor Chase and Worthy Grand Patron Willie B. Dunn, Most Ancient Grand Matron, Sister Sarah E. Booth and Worthy Grand Joshua Erskine A. Solomon. They have worked in the great spirit of harmony and love with the Grand Lodge and its programs.

SPRING CONFERENCE

Our Annual Spring-Conference Workshop was held on March 22, 1980 at the Masonic Temple 306 24th Ave So., Seattle, Washington. This workshop called together again all Worshipful Masters, Wardens, Secretaries and Treasurers of all Subordinate Lodges. The instructions to the lodges was well received the attendance was excellent, much interest was shown by those present, the question and answer period was outstanding.

Many thanks to the Grand Officers for their support and to the committee chairman, Brother Irvin Hawkins for a job well done.

THE KNIGHTS OF PYTHAGORAS

The Order of Pythagoras, the adopted Youth Organization of this Jurisdiction is still trying to survive. The Grand Lodge has given its Moral and financial support.

Much credit must be given to our R. W. Grand Junior Warden, Billy V. Morris and all of his directors who have worked very hard to establish two (2) councils in this Grand Jurisdiction; his youth report will reflect this accomplishment. The boys of today are the men of tomorrow.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1.      After having met all Grand Lodge requirements, conforming to all rules and regulations, I recommend that Old Pioneer Lodge #39 be rechartered at this Grand Session.

2.      I recommend that Mozart U. D. Lodge located in near Stuttgart Germany be continued for another year.

3.      Due to the High cost of inflation, I recommend that our Grand Lodge per capital tax be increased from $25.00 per member per annually to $30.00 per member per annual.

4.      I recommend that the Standing Resolution on the Grand Lodge Building Assessment of $100.00 be continued.

5.      I recommend that laws, duties and responsibilities of the Grand Worthy Patron and the Worthy Grand Joshua be defined and published in the Grand Lodge Masonic Code.

6.      I recommend that the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge lay the cornerstone at Bethel A.M.E. Church, Spokane, Washington, August 3, 1980 at 3:00 o’clock P.M.

CONCLUSION

My Brethren, three years ago you conferred upon me the greatest honor in your power and the greatest honor that I have or ever shall receive what success that has been attained during my tenure of office has been due to your loyalty and support. I now my brethren return to you the Gavel of Authority and my thanks and appreciation. Let me urge you to support my successor in the same manner that you have supported me and the Washington Jurisdiction. I pledge that I shall ever aid and support my successor in office if it is your will and pleasure.

Fraternally yours,

Jimmy Simmons