SUPRMSON.SRJ

Biennial Session of the Supreme Council 1989

	On Sunday, October 15, distinguished Brethren from throughout
the United States and from nations around the world gathered in
Washington, D.C., to celebrate the 1989 Biennial Session of the
Supreme Council, 33.  In his message of welcome to all, Sov... Gr...
Cmdr... C. Fred Kleinknecht declared: "When the Supreme Council
assembles, it is a time of work, of course, but also a time of
fellowship and joy.  Let us take this opportunity to share more
than labor.  Let us share the pleasure of the social events and
delightful entertainments, the pride of honors conferred and the
excitement that comes from bringing together the best of
Freemasonry from across America and around the world."
	The first event of the Session was an Albert Pike Memorial
Service held at "the Church of Presidents," St. John's Church
across from the White House at Lafayette Square.  After a brief
tribute to Pike by Grand Commander Kleinknecht and a moving vocal
rendition of the Lord's Prayer by Ill... William E. Holloman, Jr.,
33, Dr. W. Kenneth Lyons, Jr., 32, K...C...C...H..., Pastor of Baldwin
Memorial United Methodist Church near Annapolis, Maryland,
delivered a memorial prayer and introduced the distinguished guest
speaker of the event, the Reverend Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, 33,
Grand Cross, who spoke on "The Values of Our American Heritage." 
His warmly amusing personal reminiscences stressed the fact that
through a rebirth of enterprise and faith Americans today can
achieve as greatly as our forefathers did before us.
	Following Dr. Peale's inspiring address to a large,
enthusiastic congregation, the assemblage of Brethren and their
ladies was escorted to the House of the Temple to witness the
traditional wreath laying at the crypt of Albert Pike and to share
in a delightful reception.
	Following several days of preliminary meetings, the work of
the Brethren began on Monday, October 16, when Grand Commander
Kleinknecht officially convened the Session at 9 a.m. and warmly
welcomed all attending.  With the exceptions of Ill... Maynard A.
Morrison, S...G...I...G... in North Dakota, who was ill, and Ill... William
E. Eccleston, 33, S...G...I...G... in the District of Columbia, who was
excused, all Active Members of the Supreme Council were present as
were distinguished Masonic leaders from throughout America and the
world.  After declaring the Supreme Council open on the 14th Degree
of Freemasonry and extending a general welcome, the Grand Commander
introduced the Grand Master of Masons in the District of Columbia,
Robert A. Statler, 33, who spoke briefly to express his hearty
welcome and to extend greetings.
	The agenda continued, as it has in previous years, with a
formal address of welcome from the Grand Orator, Illustrious S.
Barry Casey, 33, Sovereign Grand Inspector in Arizona, who noted
that in these meetings "we will review the results of our labors
for the past two years and plan for the future under the leadership
of our esteemed, able and revered Grand Commander, who has directed
the efforts to make this assemblage productive, enjoyable and
rewarding to all."
	Grand Commander Kleinknecht then greeted his many
distinguished guests from other Supreme Councils, Grand Lodges and
Appendant Bodies of Masonry, inviting many to join him in the East. 
Among the distinguished guests introduced to the Brethren were the
following: Illustrious Sovereign Grand Commanders, 33, Francis G.
Paul, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction; John A. Bourne, Canada; Lauri
Sarkia, Finland;  Parviz Yeganegi, Iran-in-exile; Henri L.
Baranger, France; Jean P. Grenier, Switzerland; Venancio Igrejas,
Brazil; Jose Torrente Duran, Spain; Augusto De Megni, Italy; and
Lieutenant Gr... Cmdr... Ralph E. Prosch of Austria.
	Also attending were nine Grand Masters: Jerry G. Tart, North
Carolina; Eugene F. Love, Louisiana; Ernest R. Hazelwood, New
Mexico; Robert M. Nease, Kansas; Hayden P. Davis, Arkansas; William
R. Miller, Washington; Jimmie M. Johnson, Arizona; Leonard P.
Harvey, Texas; and Hideo Kobayashi from Japan.
	Of special note was an address to the assemblage by Grand
Commander Francis G. Paul, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.  He spoke
of the renewal movement in Freemasonry which is stressing quality,
not numbers, and so building a sense of unity and power that cannot
help but benefit the Rite.
	Following the introductions, Grand Commander Kleinknecht
delivered a summary of his Allocution and called upon the Assistant
Grand Secretary General, RADM W. Gene Sizemore, 33, to deliver the
Grand Secretary General's report.  Then several chairmen of the
Supreme Council's Committees delivered summaries of their reports,
in particular the reports of Ill... Herbert A. Ronin, 33, Committee
on Jurisprudence and Legislation; Ill... John E. Blankinship, 33,
Committee on the State of the Order; and D. Walter Jessen, 33, 
Committee on Publications.  The latter two reports appear,
respectively, in this issue of The Scottish Rite Journal on pages 
   and    .
	At this point the assemblage was privileged to welcome Senator
Alan K. Simpson, 33, of Wyoming, who spoke of his family's long-
time involvement in the "noble and beautiful" institution of
Freemasonry which was so well served by his father and grandfather
and, presently, his son.  Our duty today, he concluded, is "to stop
talking and start doing so that the timeless teachings of
Freemasonry can be passed on to future generations," for our Craft
is truly a "festival of life, love and learning."
	At noon the members of the Supreme Council adjourned to break
bread with the Brethren.  Then they resumed their labors in
Executive Session for the election of 1,217 Knights Commander Court
of Honour and 509 Thirty-third Degree Inspectors General Honorary. 
Then, at 2:00 p.m., nearly 350 Brethren joined in a pilgrimage to
Washington National Cathedral to lay a wreath at and hallow anew
the magnificent statue of Brother and President George Washington
which was donated to the Cathedral by the Supreme Council in 1947. 
	After an appropriate message by the Grand Commander and a
memorial prayer, the Brethren and their ladies were pleased to
participate in an informative lecture about and tour of this grand
edifice as offered by the Cathedral's visitor's service.
        The memorable day was capped by a festive evening concert at
Lisner Auditorium of the George Washington University.  Under the
direction of William Hudson, the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra
presented a star-spangled salute to American music that featured
vocalist Niki Ryan who specializes in the works of George Gershwin
and Cole Porter.
	On Tuesday, October 17, the General Session reopened in the
Temple Room with a roll call of Supreme Councils and Masonic Grand
Bodies.  This was followed by an address by Dr. Rex Hutchens, 33,
who spoke on Grand Commander Albert Pike's character and
accomplishments, especially his advocacy of a scholarly and
intellectual tradition in the Scottish Rite.  Ill... David O.
Johnson, 33, Grand Herald, Sovereign Grand Inspector General in
Oregon and Chairman of the Committee on Obituaries, then delivered
a moving tribute to the Illustrious dead which ended with Taps
played by Ill... Robert E. Redding, 33.  Additional committee
reports, adjournment for lunch, an Executive Session beginning at
1:00 p.m., and afternoon sight-seeing or shopping tours completed
Tuesday's busy schedule.
	The final day of the Session, October 18, included an
Executive Session where seven of the newly elected Active Members
were Crowned.  They were Ill... Bros... Sam E. Hilburn, 33 (Texas);
Robert L. Goldsmith, 33 (Florida); Daniel F. Levenduski, 33
(Minnesota); William M. Hutcheson, 33 (Georgia); Julian W. Fagan,
33 (Mississippi); Lowell C. Jensen, 33 (Idaho); and Marvin K.
Bailin, 33 (South Dakota).  Crowned at a later time was the eighth
newly elected Active Member, Ill... Earl K. Dille, 33 (Missouri). 

	Also, the following retired Active Members were approved for
Emeritus Member status: Ill... Thomas S. Perry, 33, Past Grand
Chamberlain and Past S...G...I...G... in Georgia; Ill... William E.
Eccleston, 33, Grand Secretary General and Past S...G...I...G... in the
District of Columbia; and Ill... Francis W. Douglas, 33, Second
Grand Equerry and Past S...G...I...G... in Utah.
	In addition, the following were made Emeriti Members of
Honour: Ill... R. A. Ingham Clark, 33, Past Grand Secretary General,
England and Wales; Ill... Venancio Igrejas, 33, Sov... Gr... Cmdr...,
Brazil; Ill... Erik F. Qvist, 11, Sov... Gr... Master, the Grand Lodge
of Denmark; Ill... Agustin Arriaga Rivera, 33, Sov... Gr... Cmdr...,
Mexico; Ill... John A. Bourne, 33, Sov... Gr... Cmdr..., Canada; Ill...
Sahir Erman, 33, Sov... Gr... Cmdr..., Turkey; Ill... Lauri Sarkia, 33,
Sov... Gr... Cmdr..., Finland; Ill... Parviz Yeganegi, 33, Sov... Gr... Cmdr...,
Iran-in-exile; and Ill... Ralph E. Prosch, 33, Lieutenant Gr... Cmdr...,
Austria.
	In recognition of their valued service and fraternal
contributions, the Council of Administration recommended approval
of the Grand Commander's action in awarding Certificates of Honor
during the biennium to the following: Ill... Eddie P. Stiles, 33,
Grand Master, Grand Lodge of North Carolina; Bro... Raymond Donald
Kent, 32, Secretary, Jackson Lodge No. 48, Jackson, Wyoming; Ill...
Fred W. McPeake, 33, Secretary, Knoxville, Tennessee; Ill. Robert
W. Woodward, 33, Deputy in American Military Bodies, NATO Bases;
Ill... George L. Evoy, 33, Secretary, Atlanta, Georgia; Ill... George
Kint, 33, Sov... Gr... Cmdr..., Belgium; Ill... Kenneth Elton Hendrickson,
33, Chairman, S...G...I...G...'s Advisory Conference, Sioux City, Iowa;
Ill... William A. Price, 33, Member in Spartanburg and Greenville,
South Carolina; Ill... Voris King, 33, Past Imperial Potentate, The
Imperial Council, AAONMS; Ill... Jack Benjamin Donham, 33, Past
Grand Master, President, Conference of Grand Secretaries in North
America; Ill... Lyle Coolidge, 33, Almoner, Tucson, Arizona,
Scottish Rite Bodies, Project Manager, Scottish Rite Center for
Childhood Language Disorders; Ill... Gory N. Casto, Jr., 33,
Chairman, S...G...I...G...'s Advisory Conference, Charleston, West
Virginia.
	Finally, the proposed Elective Officers were discussed, and
the Council of Administration recommended and the Council approved
the following: Ill... C. Fred Kleinknecht, Sovereign Grand Commander
Ill... Herbert A. Ronin, 33, Deputy Grand Commander; Ill... John D.
Blankinship, 33, Lieutenant Grand Commander; Ill... H. Lloyd
Wilkerson, 33, Grand Prior; Ill... D. Walter Jessen, 33, Grand
Chancellor; Ill... James R. Rogers, 33, Grand Minister of State;
Ill... David Kruger, 33, Grand Secretary General; Ill... Andrew
Benedict, 33, Grand Treasurer General;  and Ill... Jess W. Gern,
33, Grand Almoner.
	At the Grand Commander's recommendation, the following
Appointive and Additional Officers were discussed and approved: 
Ill... Carl J. Sanders, 33, Grand Chaplain; Ill... Thomas C. Raum,
Jr., 33, Grand Orator; Ill... H. Douglas Lemons, 33, Grand Master
of Ceremonies; Ill... Edward L. Pine, 33, Grand Chamberlain; Ill...
Jack E. Nixson, 33, First Grand Equerry; Ill... David O. Johnson,
33, Second Grand Equerry; Ill... Jack D. Rehberg, 33, Grand
Standard Bearer; Ill... Elmer D. Strickler, 33, Grand Sword Bearer;
Ill... Monroe K. Alexander, 33, Grand Herald; and Ill... W. Gene
Sizemore, 33, Assistant Grand Secretary General.
	During the afternoon of October 18, the Conferral of the
Thirty-third Degree on 509 Thirty-third Degree Elects took place
in Lisner Auditorium of The George Washington University.  Under
the leadership of Illustrious Walter S. Downs, 33, the expert
Valley of Alexandria, Virginia, Degree Team, performed the
impressive ceremony in superb form.
	The final event of the 1989 Session was a biennial gala
banquet held in the International Ballroom of the Washington Hilton
Hotel.  The memorable evening, shared by over 1,000 Brethren and
their ladies, began with Hollywood comedian Foster Books, Coroneted
a 33 that afternoon, providing hilarious anecdotes in his
inimitably tipsy manner.  Then Ill... Donald G. Brotzman, 33, acting
as Master of Ceremonies, introduced the head table which included,
among others, the following; Ill... Joe L. Albritton, 33, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer, Riggs National Bank; Ill... David B.
Sentelle, 33, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals, Washington, D.C.; M...
W... Robert A. Statler, 33, Grand Master of the District of
Columbia; and the Grand Commanders of Finland, Iran-in-exile,
France, Switzerland, Brazil, Spain, and Italy.
	Ill... Carl J. Sanders, 33, Grand Chaplain, gave a lovely
blessing and the entire assemblage recited the Pledge of
Allegiance.  Sov... Gr... Cmdr... C. Fred Kleinknecht then spoke to
welcome the Brethren and the many honored guests which included:
the Hon. Jesse Helms, 33, Senator from North Carolina; the Hon.
Charles E. Grassley, 33, Senator from Iowa; the Hon. John Paul
Hammerschmidt, 33, Congressman from Arkansas; and the Hon. Owen
B. Pickett, 33, Congressman from Virginia.
	The Academy Award winning actor Ill... Ernest Borgnine, 33,
then reminisced about his theatrical career and expressed his pride
in being part of American Freemasonry.  The highlight of the
evening was the presentation of the Grand Cross, Scottish Rite
Freemasonry's highest honor, to five very worthy recipients; James
Harold Doolittle, 33, Gen. USAF (Ret), California, who could not
be present; Martin D. Carlin, 33, retired businessman and
Secretary of the D. C. Bodies; Forrest D. Haggard, 33, Clergyman,
Kansas; Chester Earl McCarty, 33, Maj. Gen., USAF (Ret) and
lawyer, Oregon; and Gene Autry, 33, entertainer and businessman,
California.  Each of the recipients commented briefly on the
significance of Freemasonry in his life and the great honor of
receiving the Grand Cross.
	Grand Commander Kleinknecht's closing remarks called upon the
Brethren to continue their outstanding labors for the Rite during
the next biennium and thanked them for their hearty support during
the last two years.  A final prayer by Bishop Sanders and a
stirring rendition of "God Bless America" in tribute to Brother
Irving Berlin, 32, by Ill... William E. Holloman, 33, closed the
1989 Session of The Supreme Council on a fitting note of
accomplishment, inspiration and patriotism.

