M.W. DANIEL L. LUNSFORD

MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND MASTER

Greetings:

As Grand Master of Masons for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington and Jurisdiction, it is a distinct honor and a privilege to welcome each of you to the Eighty-Eight (88th) Annual Communication of our Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington and Jurisdiction.

I stand before you today with full knowledge and understanding that only through the grace of God and the trust and confidence of you my brethren that I had the opportunity to serve this past year as Grand Master. I pray that I have represented you in a manner that was pleasing.

I wish to thank my family, the excellent staff of Officers and each of you for your prayers and support. I cannot say enough about the officers this past year, they have all worked overtime to bring credit to our great jurisdiction. Not once did I see or experience any unwillingness to meet a new challenge placed before them. Each time I called upon their services, the Deputy Grand Master, Senior and Junior Grand Wardens were always there and willing to take on another task or project.

It is not my desire to take anything away from the reports of any of the officers, however, there are a few things I must comment about. I must commend R.W. Grand Junior Warden, James B. Sloan and the Board of Regents Officers for the excellent work they have done with the Order of the Knights of Pythagoras program. The membership has increased as well as the activity within the councils. They have been meeting on a regular basis, and I must say doing an excellent job. Some of our lodges could take lessons from our youth.  Again I wish to thank the Knights of Pythagoras for the well organized and well attended banquet given in my honor. Special thanks to Master Knights, Sammi White and Derrick Loggroan who did an outstanding job as Co-Masters of Ceremony. As for the scholarship enhancement program, with the support of Past Master Len Mitchell and other committee members, I can only say, Job Well Done. I encourage every brother to listen closely to the Grand Junior Wardens report. These brothers really did produce this past year. Just imagine how much more could have been accomplished had more of you had contributed your time or money towards their efforts.

I commend R.W. Grand Senior Warden, William Rheubottom and his committee on an excellent Annual Spring Workshop. I have heard numerous commends made by our brothers and sisters, all of which were positive. When we can get koo-doe’s from our sisters, that really is a plus.

The Masonic News Letter this past year has been just great. I ant not sure what the Grand Senior Warden has done to get so many to submit news articles, but whatever it is, keep it up. It is important to share with others what your lodges are doing, as well as the Grand Officers. Again I commend you.

Needless to say, the Grand Officers have done and are doing much more than what I have mentioned, especially the Grand Senior Warden who is the Special Projects officers. I had given him so many projects during the year, I shifted some to our R.W. Deputy Grand Master, Victor S. Baxter. I commend R.W. Baxter and the Grand Entertainment Committee he chairs for hard work and planning of this our 88th Annual Communication. I wish to thank Deputy Grand Master Baxter for his untiring support this past year. He was always there when I needed him. I especially want to thank him for his efforts in the formation of our first Prince Hall Masonic Choir. The sacrificing of his Saturday afternoons and some Wednesday evenings, with only three or four brothers showing for practice. But he never gave up, he said, Grand we will have a choir, even if there is just two of us.

As always the Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer performed their duties quietly and proficiently. As for the Grand Lecturer, he was very busy traveling all over the jurisdiction. Needless to say, I was not with him most of the time, but word of his great work always got back to me. And to the other elected and appointed Grand Officers thank you for your excellent services and support as well, I truly appreciate each of you. A special thanks to all of my District Deputies for their hard work and support. And to all of our Past Grand Masters for their words of wisdom and council. Thank you to each and everyone f or a great year, and for the opportunity to serve this Great Jurisdiction.

NECROLOGY

Grand Architect of the Universe, creator of all man kind, grant us thy peace at this moment. Bless us in thy Holy name. We mourn, not for our departed brothers but for us who remain behind and shall not see them for a while. Our hearts are full by the memory of those whom God in his infinite wisdom has taken on the journey to eternal rest. Let us pause f or a moment in tribute to those brothers who have departed this troubled earthly world, who are now with the Grand Master of the Universe far beyond the sky.

Richard Carter                                                                        Rising Sun # 84                                               August 23, 1990

Allen Wright                                                                             Egyptian          #44                                          September 5, 1990

Earl P. Gross, Jr.                                                                    St. John’s #79                                                  September 20, 1990

Gilbert Woodards                                                                    Hercules #17                                                   September 22, 1990

Walter Jackson                                                                       Abiff #37                                                           September 25, 1990

Freddie Moore, Sr.                                                                  Harmony #2                                                      October 10, 1990

Melvin Kidd                                                                              Harmony #2                                                      October 25, 1990

Felix Simms                                                                            Cassia #5                                                          November 21, 1990

Alvin H. Botler                                                                          Harmony #2                                                      December 16, 1990

Edward D. Trigg                                                                      M.L.K., Jr. #65                                                   December 30, 1990

Eddie B. Mattox                                                                       Pride of Giessen #63                                        January 14, 1991

Samuel C. Driver                                                                    Cassia #5                                                          January 27, 1991

Norman Proctor                                                                      Hercules #17                                                     February 6, 1991

David Holmes                                                                         Abiff #37                                                             February 8, 1991

Isaiah F. Bynum                                                                      Cassia #5                                                          February 27, 1991

Lawson Ricks                                                                         Spanaway #83                                                   March 26, 1991

Jimmy Simmons                                                                     Hamma Hamma #35                                         March 27, 1991

Charles W. Hampton                                                              Cassia #5                                                           April 30, 1991

STATE OF THE CRAFT

I am pleased to report that the craft is in excellent condition considering all that has transpired this past masonic year. We have had Dessert Shield that evolved into Dessert Storm that impacted nearly every lodge, but most especially our overseas lodges. Some were so heavily impacted, it would appear that they would be eliminated forever. Many families were separated, with some returning to the United States. But because we serve a Great and Merciful God, we were once again blessed. Dessert Storm ended with families being reunited, and from all indications, to date we had no brothers or sisters loss or injured during the activities.

Currently, we are facing yet another crisis impacting our craft with the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines. All of our members stationed at Clark Air Force Base and their families have been evacuated as well as those members living in the surrounding areas. Some have been returned to the United States and others have been relocated to other installations in the Pacific.

According to R.W. Tommy Clark, Jr., D.D.G.M. District #8, none of our Brothers or Sisters were injured. He further indicated that all personal property belonging to those brothers and sisters residing on Base would be destroyed. R.W. Clark, however was able to retrieve and secure the charters belonging to three of our masonic organizations.

With the occurrences of both events, it further demonstrates the importance and need of our theme, “Reconstituting and Restoring Family Unity”. We never know when or how misfortune will come to us, however we can be sure it will come. Let us continue in our efforts and let us reach out to our brothers and sisters during these troubled times.

Due to their small membership, and by request, Corinthian Lodge #66, Moses Lake, WA., charter has been returned to our Grand Lodge and the membership demitted to Inland Empire Lodge #3, Spokane, WA.

Cherry Blossom Lodge #42, Yokota, Japan, has been provided new facilities to conduct their meetings.

We have three new U.D. Lodges; Jacob Lodge U.D., Berlin Germany, King David Lodge U.D., Darmstadt Germany and Perfect Square Lodge U.D. Worms Germany.

Despite the challenges placed before us, we have managed to increase our ranks, however, their is much more to be accomplished. We cannot afford to look backward, we must move and look forward to the coming years. Not just some of us, but all of us. We cannot look for others to do our fair share.

STATE OF THE NATION

With the State of our Nation as it appears today, there is even a greater need for our Masonic Order to open its doors and become more visible. While much progress has and is being made, racism is still around and doing well. Not only in our nation, but around the globe. There is much to concern ourselves with today. To list a few:

-          Vetoing of the Civil Rights Act of 1990, by President George Bush

-          Conditions of our Brothers and Sisters in South Africa

-          Workforce 2000 and the impact on the black community

-          Decaying conditions of our Black families and communities

-          Teenage pregnancy and prostitution

-          The increasing numbers of homeless

-          Youth gangs and related crimes

-          Failure of our educational institutions

-          Incarceration of young black males, at a higher rate than others

-          Drugs and related activities

-          Concerns over the number of minorities (primarily blacks) in our armed forces

-          The rising visibility of hate groups

-          Issues concerning gun control

-          The Civil Rights Act of 1991; and

-          National concerns over the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and locally Federal Judge, Jack E. Tanner and their successors.

...and the list goes on and on. We cannot afford to be complacent, we must wake—up and involve ourselves. We must take responsibility for our own destiny, no one is going to do it for us. We must remember our forefathers and the sacrifices they made in a effort to make things better for us. What about our future generations? Lets face it, America with all of its problems, I cannot name any other place that I would want to live. Can you? Let us make America a better America for all citizens!

CONFERENCE OF GRAND MASTERS

In May of this year I had the privilege of attending the Conference of Grand Masters, held in New Orleans, Louisiana, hosted by Most Worshipful Grand Master, Earl Bradford. The Conference was very enlightening and well attended, with forty- four of our forty-seven Prince Hall Grand Masters present.

Upon my arrival, the weather was just great, and I was fortunate to catch the last day of the Jazz Festival. However, before I departed, Louisiana was receiving heavy rain which caused a great deal of flooding throughout the State. My departure was very timely.

While there, I had the honor of serving on the steering committee. This was very rewarding, and afforded me an opportunity to have direct input on issues of concern of the conference. One concern discussed, during the conference was for the Jurisdictions to become as uniformed as possible in the area of protocol.

There was some dialogue regarding those jurisdictions having passed joint resolutions of recognition and right of visitation, between Prince Hall and Caucasian lodges. I was impressed by the number of jurisdictions desiring and working toward the achievement of that goal. Needless to say there were some jurisdictions that opposed this action, but respected the right and decisions of those who were in favor.

FRATERNAL RELATIONS

I am pleased to report that peace and harmony exist between our Grand Organization of the Prince Hall family of Washington. Grand Worthy Matron, Bennie Sue Wright, Prince Hall Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Stars and Most Ancient Grand Matron, Dorothy Green, Prince Hall Grand High Court, Heroines of Jericho and I have had a wonderful and harmonious working relationship this past masonic year.

I must state that a similar relationship existed with Sovereign Grand Inspector General, James W. Davis, Deputy for Scottish Rite Masonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, Orient of Washington. I wish to personally thank him, not only for his support as a Past Grand Master, but for his courtesies toward me and my wife as Deputy.

This year has been a historical one for the Masonic Jurisdictions of Washington. The highlight of the year took place just four short weeks ago in the city of Walla Walla, Washington. By the fulfillment of a legacy left by William H. Upton, Past Grand Master for the Jurisdiction of Washington, who as stated by our orator during the ceremony, “served masonry in the true sense of brotherly love”. His dream was accomplished on June 8, 1991 by the placement of a Memorial Stone, in ample form, at his grave site, by white masons and black masons, together as brothers in the spirit of brotherly love.

I am sure the significance of this event has not yet truly been recognized by many. The news of this great event is still being communicated throughout our Masonic Globe. Being transcribed in numerous forms of literature and will later be read and viewed as significant history. History that will state that on that date (June 8, 1991) a giant step was taken toward Universal Recognition in the true sense of the words Brotherhood of man under the Fatherhood of God. The brothers of both Grand Jurisdictions of Washington should feel proud and are to be commented.

My personal congratulation and thanks to all who labored toward this effort. A special recognition to Past Grand Master James O. Wood, Grand Lodge of Washington, Past Grand Master James W. Davis, Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington who co-chaired the activity, the members of both Commissions, Past Grand Master Sidney Kase, Grand Lodge of Washington, whom I enjoyed working with this past year, and to all of you who traveled to Walla Walla, Washington and who truly made the day an auspicious historical occasion.

CONCLUSION

This past masonic year has been very fast and challenging. Much has been accomplished, yet so much was left undone. Our tasks can become so much easier and enjoyable when we all do our fair share. At the beginning of the year, I asked you, what were your ideas for change and what enhancements would you like to see for our masonic organization. I asked how much input and time were you willing to devote to those changes. The answer to these questions lies within each of us. The first step in this process is to know thyself. Be proud of who we are and what we stand for. Learn more about our organization and what it stands for. There is wisdom in knowing thyself. Those of us who are elected as heads of our organizations must remember that leadership is an action, not a position.

We must plan activities of our lodges, focusing on the principles and goals of freemasonry. Then like Solomon, we should pray to God for Wisdom, if or Wisdom is the power that enables us to use knowledge for the benefit of others.

It has been said that “If you don’t ask, you don’t get, and If you ask right, you get more.” So I am asking you my brothers to do all that you can in your lodges, in your communities, in your churches, on your jobs, and various other organizations to which you may belong. To do more than is asked of you, better than is asked of you and expect the same from those around you. It’s a matter of respect.

In the state of Washington, we are meeting and extending our hands of friendship and fellowship. We extend our hearts in love, our hands with help and our heads with humility. It is in this spirit of humility we look to the future welcoming change and envisioning progress. We must branch out. Bend the twig and the tree will grow.

Freemasonry, is one of the world’s oldest fraternal societies, made up of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. A freemason is encouraged to do his duty first to his God through his faith and religious practice; and then, without detriment to his family and those dependent on him, to his neighbor through charity and service. None of these ideas are exclusively Masonic, but all are universally acceptable, and as freemasons, we are expected to follow them. Freemasons believe that the principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth represent a way of achieving higher standards in life. Ralph Waldo Emerson and O.B. Frothingham once said in their literature, “There is no limit to the good any man can do if he does not care who gets the credit”, and “he who lives for humanity, must be content to lose himself”. So again I challenge each of us to think seriously about building our great organization, about our commitments, and the purpose for which they serve.

RECOMMENDATIONS

RECOMMENDATION #1: That a feasibility study be made of our Palmer Lake Beach property, for the development and use by the Grand Lodge.

RECOMMENDATION #2: That a feasibility study be made on the proposal presented by the brothers and sisters of district #2 (Tacoma, Washington) for the purchase of property by the Grand Lodge.

RECOMMENDATION #3: That the petition coming from the brothers and sisters of Bremerton, Washington, requesting that a room within said Bremerton property, be named after the late, Past Grand Master, Jimmy Simmons be honored.

RECOMMENDATION #4: That the following three U.D. Lodges be chartered at this 88th Annual Communications:

                                                                        Perfect Square Lodge U.D.                Worms, Germany

                                                                        Jacob Lodge U. D.                                          Berlin, Germany

                                                                        King David Lodge U.D.                                   Darmstadt, Germany

Fraternally Submitted,

/s/Daniel L. Lunsford

M.W. Grand Master