M\W\
WENDELL O. HUTCHINGS
MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND
MASTER
Good Morning,
First, pause to invoke, as our first order of
business, the blessings of Almighty God upon our deliberations and all of
the attendees of our 102nd Annual Communication. We ask that the same God
that brought each and everyone here to take us safely back home to our loved
ones.
How appropriate it is that we should, at the
commencement of our labors as a Grand Lodge, bow in humble admiration and
thanksgiving to the giver of all good. Let us in unity and individually
beseech the great and good ruler of the universe to preside in our councils
and give us wisdom that we may conduct our affairs successfully and in peace
and harmony.
NECROLOGY
Grand Architect of the Universe, our hearts are filled by the memory of
our brothers who God in His infinite wisdom has taken on the journey to
eternal rest. Grand Chaplain’, let us pause for a moment of prayer in
tribute to those brothers who have departed this troubled earthly world, and
are now with the Grand Master of the Universe, far beyond the sky.
Fred Lee Foley Jr.
Clem L. Gallerson
Harmony Lodge #2
Olympus Lodge
#45
DOD: 7/07/2004
DOD: 2/21/2005
Tahir Ahmad
James
Wilson
Harmony Lodge #2
Fred U. Harris
Lodge #70
DOD: 8/07/2004
DOD: 2/14/2005
Augustus Hobgood
Brian O. Gilmore
Hercules Lodge #17
Pride of Washington Lodge #98
DOD: 7/20/2004
DOD:
2/14/2005
Bert Louis Harris Jr.
Curtis Dudley
Cassia Lodge #5
Lee Grant Rogers
Lodge #61
DOD: 9/13/2004
DOD: 2/1 7/2005
Ehrenfried Kodjo Mawudeku
James C. Purnell
Evergreen Lodge #9
Harmony Lodge #2
DOD: 11/11/2004
DOD: 3/24/2005
David E. Johnson
Darrell Duplechan
Trowel Lodge #80
Egyptian Lodge
#44
DOD: 1/07/2005
DOD:
4/15/2005
Herman William
Richards
James Thomas
Hercules Lodge #17
Union Lodge #43
DOD: 1/23/2005
DOD: 4/18/2005
Cecil Richmond Softli
Darnell O. Wiggins
Hercules Lodge #17
King Solomon Lodge #62
DOD: 1/25/2005
DOD: 5/14/2005
Maurice Jackson
Henry Jones
Harmony Lodge #2
Harmony Lodge #2
DOD: 1/26/2005
DOD: 5/31/2005
James Buchanan
Abiff Lodge #37
DOD: 1/27/2005
LIVING THE DREAM
Greetings and welcome to this, our 102nd Annual
Communication. Today is one of the proudest moments of my life, as I stand
before this august body that elected me to serve as its 38~ Grand Master one
year ago, and as the fourth member ever elected from Hercules Lodge #17. It
strengthens and compliments the illustrious history of this Grand
Jurisdiction — your enthusiastic support, your loyalty, and your faith in me
has been one of my greatest assets in the administration of the office of
Grand Master.
I regard this privilege of addressing you as imposing upon me
two obligations: First, that of being brief; and secondly, that of saying
such things only as are calculated to merit the attention of my Brothers,
whose time is as precious as mine. For the breach of the first obligation, I
should be without excuse, however, the second involves such difficulties
that I must rely upon your forbearing, if I fall short.
As look about this assembly on our 102nd year,
realizing that we have gathered here from throughout this vast jurisdiction
and, as your chief servant, to report on my stewardship for the last 12
months, it is with a feeling of solemnity and a sense of responsibility that
I accepted this high honor and was fully aware of the magnitude of this
office and have tried to do my utmost to discharge my duties in accordance
with the
Masonic Code of the MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge of
Washington and Jurisdiction - with credit to all and for the welfare of this
jurisdiction.
How important it is, brethren, for you to calmly
consider the important propositions and questions that may be presented to
you for your careful investigation and consideration.
With sentiments of loyalty to the cardinal principles
of freemasonry, and with feelings of fraternal affection, I most sincerely
ask you to address yourselves to the duties which now confront us.
The great volume of business that will be brought to
our attention at this Annual Grand Communication will challenge our best
thought and command our most serious consideration to properly dispose of
it, and I earnestly ask you to assist me in preventing the waste of valuable
time in the discussion and consideration of matters that are of no practical
service to the Craft, and which are in many instances a menace to the future
of the Order.
Masons are possessed of the same appreciation of joy
and pleasure as other mortals, and they are equally as capable of
experiencing the rising within them of angry passions, but we have with us
always that sweet, gentle reminder: “Keep our passions within due bounds
with all mankind, but more especially with the brethren.”
I have always held, and hold now, that Masons should be the
personification of courtesy, civility, incapable of using rough, abrupt
language, especially one Mason to another. In fact, he should be the highest
type of kind-hearted gentleman. When he disregards these principles, he
falls beneath the dignity of our fraternity’s most sacred tenets.
One of the most dangerous influences that can possibly
confront the Masonic fraternity is the canvassing of brethren in the
interest of candidates for office, without regard to fitness or those
qualifications which adorn and beautify the acts of official incumbency. The
Craft in this jurisdiction has risen so high in the world of freemasonry
that should it commit the error of placing the fraternity’s government in
the keeping of those who are manifestly incompetent to understand and
perform their duties, it would result in the lowering of our standing, and
undoubtedly end in a deep sense of chagrin and mortification to those whom a
misguided and misinformed majority may have clothed with official power. I
know that the sentiment of the Craft in this Grand Jurisdiction is
unanimous, that hereafter to us the homely and somewhat worn-out phrase is
“the Office must seek the man, not the man the Office,”
Every Grand Lodge in this country that encourages unbridled
and unlimited competition for office is far behind all others in
enlightenment and progress, which is the result of placing efficient and
painstaking brethren in charge of the fraternity’s interest. If we are to
give the matter of selecting officers for the ensuing year any consideration
whatsoever, I feel that the present condition and needs of the Craft forces
me to tell you that for the year to come we must put none but the best
informed and most competent brethren in charge of the fraternity’s affairs.
It is with great pleasure I can report to you that
with a few exceptions, peace and harmony has prevailed in the lodges of this
jurisdiction during the past year. There have been one or two cases where
disturbances have arisen, but I hope that this Grand Body shall take
cognizance of the facts that will be presented, relative to the
difficulties, and have those differences amicably adjusted and restore that
friendly and brotherly feeling that should always exist among Masons.
In addition to my administrative duties, I have
focused on our Grand East by having the following discrepancies repaired or
upgraded;
(1)
Interior
and exterior painting of the lower section of the Grand Lodge.
(2)
The
Ballroom Floor was completely renovated to reveal a beautiful Hardwood
Floor.
(3)
Plumbing
work was done throughout the building.
(4)
The Water
fountain was replaced.
(5)
Fencing
(Gates) were installed under the entrance steps.
(6)
The Grand
Master and Grand Secretary’s Offices received a fresh coat of Paint.
(7)
The Grand
Secretary’s Office Door was modified to conduct business.
(8)
New
counters were installed in the Grand Secretary’s Office.
(9)
A
Security System was installed thanks to the Deputy Grand Master.
(10)
New locks were
installed throughout the building.
There are many other items that are in the process of being
worked on, that will make our Grand Lodge presentable and a building that we
can all be proud of.
STATE OF THE CRAFT
I am pleased to report for the most part, all lodges are
doing fairly well. As most of you are aware, we are continuing to experience
a negative impact on our lodges in Europe and the Far East, resulting from
the draw-down of our Military Forces; this has been going on since the war
started two years ago. I anticipate that a large majority of our membership
will be deploying back to Iraq, beginning in November 2005, through February
2006.
They should be returning the beginning of 2007, at which time
many military bases in Germany are scheduled to close down by mid-2007. The
plan is to relocate many of the soldiers assigned to the 3rd Armored
Division to Bavaria, meaning Grafanwohr, Vilseck, Katterbach, and illesheim.
The 1st Infantry Division is scheduled to be returned back to the United
States. If this comes to pass, this would have us with about eight military
bases remaining in Germany.
We are trying to anticipate where we can realign some of our
lodges; some possibilities to relocate lodges could be Romania, Kuwait and
Iraq. We currently have one UD lodge, which I will recommend for Charter
during this Grand Communication. It is Middle East Lodge UD, in Kuwait.
District Deputy Gardner M. Torrence and Kenneth Bailey should be commended
for their diligent efforts.
STATE OF THE NATION
The housing market is booming, gas prices are rising,
Social Security restructuring still on the move, health insurance for young
adults is too expensive and the economy continues to sag, even though
inflation is relatively low, the stock market is unpredictable, therefore
retirement funds and pension plans struggle to keep pace. Economic recovery
and unemployment continues to be problematic, as jobs are realigned, cut all
together or shipped overseas. There is some good news and not so good news;
it’s according to your personal position in the working population.
Crime continues to be on the rise in our communities,
murder, rape, robbery, DUIs, Burglary, and gang violence.
We have lost over 1,700 Marines, soldiers, sailors, and
airmen in the Iraq war since it started in March 2003, according to an
Associated Press count. As we continue the war in Iraq, recruitment has
fallen overall by over 20%. I feel we all know that this war is about much
more than terrorism. Please continue to pray for our troops in harms-way,
where-so-ever dispersed around the world.
CONFERENCE OF GRAND MASTERS
The 86th Annual Conference of Grand Masters was held in the
Jurisdiction of Virginia from May 5, through May 8, 2005. Most Worshipful
Grand Master Kenneth Hill was the host Grand Master. Three of the five Grand
Masters from our Pacific Rim Regional Conference were present and one Past
Grand Master from Washington (Julian L. Harris), including the RW Deputy
Grand Master Harden M. Keys Jr., and RW Grand Junior Warden Rudolph A.
McPherson.
The Executive Committee proposes and implements changes in
policies and procedures. All regions are affected but sometimes not equally
represented. There were currently five members-at-large on the Executive
Committee who were Past Grand Masters. There are seven regions in the
Conference of Grand Masters and the members of the Pacific Rim Region felt
there should be representation for the Deputy Grand Masters in all of the
meetings that the Grand Master attends.
DISTRICT DEPUTIES and SPECIAL DEPUTIES
We have had one of the more aggressive, dedicated, and active
set of District Deputies and Special Deputies that this Grand Lodge has seen
in a long time, during this Masonic year. We have delegated more
responsibility and accountability to those officers, who in turn have worked
with their Worshipful Masters, Wardens, Past Masters, and brethren in their
various lodges and districts to stimulate more of an interest from the Grand
Lodge level. We are proud to say our Grand Lodge now has practiced what it
teaches and developed a new type of system intended to get more
participation by the membership of the jurisdiction, by allowing everyone to
have more input and suggestions. We can chart the progress we made during
this Masonic year by the several different workshops that were held and
lodge visitations.
District Number 1,
the home of
our Grand East, is doing well under the leadership of District Deputy Grand
Master RW Charlie Walker Ill. There are ten lodges in his district and under
his leadership this district has shown a great deal of potential. The
regularly scheduled District Deputy meeting has been a vehicle for all
Worshipful Masters, officers and brethren to work closer together and to
support each other’s lodges, activities, and visitations.
I asked District Deputy Walker to ask all of the
lodges in his district to clean up the Grand East for one month, and the
lodge that stands out is Abiff Lodge #37. Thank you Worshipful Master
Wilbert Johnson, officers and members, for a job well done. You are truly an
asset to our fraternity.
District Number
2
has had a lot of success, which certainly could be attributable to its
leadership and the many knowledgeable brethren that make up this district
under the leadership of District Deputy Grand Master RW Andrew Harris. He
should be commended for his vision in getting all lodges in his district to
come together for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration in
Tacoma Washington at the Tacoma Dome. This is one of the largest
celebrations held through many states and we have been a part of this for
many years. We are pleased to acknowledge that many community and civic
leaders were in attendance along with your Most Worshipful Grand Master, his
staff and numerous brothers of District Number 2. We also had the pleasure
of being in several photos with the mayor of Tacoma, Bill Baarsma, and the
Governor of the State of Washington, Christine Gregoire. Our photo was in
the Tacoma FACTS.
District Number 3
under the leadership of District Deputy Grand Master RW Vincent King, who
was recently appointed after RW Arthur Broady assumed duties in another
concordant body. My sincerest thanks is extended to you, RW Broady for all
of your years of dedicated service. With only one lodge operating, Pioneer
Lodge #39, located in Pasco Washington, District #3 continues to grow in a
positive direction by being visible and accessible through the community in
a variety of areas and there is a steady increase in awareness and respect
for our Masonic organization.
District
Number 4
of Spokane Washington, is a small district; it has two
lodges. While District Deputy Grand Master RW Ronald Carpenter has tried his
best to keep it going, there needs to be a decision as to how to maintain
our building and members and generate community awareness.
District Number 5. The two
lodges that were in this district were reassigned to District #1 - they
being, True Resolution #16 and African Genesis #101.
District Number 6
remains
in the capable hands of RW District Deputy Grand
Master Authuree Bellanger. There are five lodges operating under the Most
Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington and Jurisdiction; they are
Cherry Blossom Lodge #43, O’Misawa Lodge #54, Pride of the Orient Lodge #55,
Genesis Lodge #89, and Revelations Lodge #97. District Six has not escaped
the effects of war, because our lodges are operating at minimum staff and a
constant flux of membership.
District Number 7.
Outstanding support, commitment, and excellence best
describes this district, under the leadership and tutelage of RW District
Deputy Grand Master Daniel R. Poole. I consider it a blessing to have the
opportunity to work with you. Although you are leaving Okinawa, you are not
leaving the Washington Jurisdiction; you’re just getting closer by
relocating to California. Torii Lodge #46 and Okinawa Military Lodge #68 -
your continued support and devotion to the fraternity continues to solidify
your position in the community on Okinawa and throughout the world.
District Number 8.
This district, under the leadership of District Deputy Grand
Master RW Clifton Claybrooks is home to Marianas Travelers Lodge #49,
located in Guam. I am pleased to report that this lodge is performing well,
considering the rapid turnover of its members, and that we have a good
fraternal relationship with the Philippines as well.
District Number 9
The largest district in
the entire
jurisdiction, under the consummate care of RW District Deputy Grand Master
Andrew Morgan. With many years of longevity, this district is head and
shoulders above the rest when it comes to success. The overall leadership in
the lodges represents the best and some of the brightest we have n the
jurisdiction.
District Number 10
is under the leadership of RW District Deputy Grand
Master Gardner M. Torrence. He oversees the work of five lodges in the
Republic of Korea. RW Torrence faced tremendous odds considering he had just
arrived into Korea as a Special District Deputy Grand Master with
instructions from the Grand Master to advise this district when and where
needed — since there had recently been a change in leadership that was in
place for the last 12 years.
RW Torrence discovered numerous violations and disregard for
standards set forth by the Masonic Code of this Grand Lodge, and reported it
immediately to the Grand Master. The Grand Master then sent official
communication relieving Past Master Derrick Stallings and appointing RW
Torrence as District Deputy Grand Master for District #10, with instructions
to clean up the cesspool that has existed in District #10.
I am very pleased to report that most lodges operating in
District #10 are performing very well, considering the rapid turnover of its
members and the diversity of Masonic organizations operating in Korea. To
you, RW Torrence, I consider it a blessing to have you in the Masonic
family; you are truly a brother. Thanks for all that you do.
District Number
11. This
district consists of three lodges, with RW District Deputy Grand Master
Clarence Baxley at the helm of Fred U. Harris #70, Spanaway #83, and Pride
of Washington #98. This year each lodge focused on increasing membership,
improving in Masonic knowledge, and working together with the communities
and youth.
District Number 12.
This
district consists of one lodge, under the leadership of RW District Deputy
Grand Master Norman Macon. Mabuhay Lodge #59, being the only (PHA) civilian
lodge in the Far East, is doing well and thriving to improve.
District Number
14. No Report
COMPTROLLER BOARD
I am very pleased with the performance of our
Comptroller Board this past Masonic year. Our relationship has been one that
has proven to be successful and in the best interest of this Grand Lodge. I
want to personally take this opportunity to express my sincerest thanks to
each and every one of you for your dedication, time and effort.
FRATERNAL RELATIONS
- CONCORDANT BODIES
I am pleased to report that fraternal relations are good; all
Grand Bodies are working together, however there are areas of concern that
need to be addressed. We have moved in the direction of reviewing our past
practices and establishing a different kind of approach to working
harmoniously with our other bodies in the Prince Hall Masonic family. We
have attempted to interpret the law and the relationship that exists between
each group and the Grand Lodge. We have encouraged the support of all of
Prince Hall Masonic family programs and activities and have made much
progress in these areas. However, there is still room for improvement,
brothers. As an organization with so many varied components, we are
functioning, but not as well as we should or could be. We need the aid,
assistance, and help of every Masonic entity working with and under the
jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge if we are to
continue our progress.
I have had an enjoyable working relationship with our Deputy
of the Orient, Scottish Rite Masonry, S.G.I.G. Daniel L. Lunsford. I
congratulate him on doing a fine job in promoting Prince Hall Masonry
throughout the jurisdiction and around the world.
The Order of Eastern Stars in our Grand Jurisdiction has a
major problem in District #9. In September, 2004, Shining Star Chapter #39,
Order of the Eastern Stars, was investigated by the United States Army,
Europe, for sexual harassment by two male members, which occurred during the
initiation of a female candidate. This incident initially affected the
lodge, as they were suspended temporarily from operating on the military
bases. However, the lodge was reinstated and after a subsequent
investigation, the Chapter has been permanently barred from operating on any
military base; the Chapter was eventually closed down. The two brothers
involved have been expelled by the OES.
District Deputy Grand Master Andrew Morgan offered to
intervene on behalf of the OES if he received a letter from the Grand Worthy
Patron deputizing him to act on behalf of the Eastern Stars. He made several
inquiries about the letter, which never came. Months after things had gotten
out of control Deputy Morgan was contacted by the Grand Patron asking him if
he would intercede on behalf of the Grand Chapter, to which Deputy Morgan
declined, because too much time had elapsed and the case had progressed to a
stage where it was no longer pragmatic for him to circumvent it from going
to a full-scale investigation. After the findings and the action taken by
the Community Commander, Deputy Morgan contacted the OES leadership and
strongly suggested that they appeal the decision, because he had spoken to a
few JAG lawyers who were absolutely sure they could win an appeal. He even
offered to assist with the appeal, but to this date he has not heard
anything and the time frame in which they had to appeal has now expired.
HEROINES OF JERICHO
I have enjoyed working with the Prince Hall Grand High Court,
its officers and members. We anticipate continued peace and harmony.
A.E.A.O.N.M.S
We have been asked to report to the Imperial Potentate any
problems arising from the nobility within our jurisdiction that affects the
Grand Lodge.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1.
That
Middle East Lodge UD (Kuwait) be Chartered and given a number at this
102nd Annual Communication.
2.
That Past
Master Jesse “P.J.” Price, who has served this jurisdiction with honor,
be granted and appointed an Honorary Past Grand Master.
3.
That the
position of Grand Trustee be changed from five (5) years to three (3)
years.
CONCLUSION
It has truly been my sincere privilege to serve you as
Most Worshipful Grand Master during the past year. The year has been filled
with many challenges and you responded well beyond all expectations.
In time, let us say as Isaiah did in Chapter 40, verse
31 of the Holy Bible: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their
strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, not be
weary; and they and they shall walk, and not faint.” This is what leadership
means, working with Christian purpose and faith that the work will benefit
mankind.
May God confirm the truth of which I speak, and may He
give each of us the power to discern what is best for this, the Most
Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington. So a man thinks, so is
he.
Fraternally submitted
/s/WENDELL O. HUTCHlNGS
GRAND MASTER
