Inspector General(s), I certainly consider it an honor and a privilege to have been elected and installed by you as your Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander. After serving under the supportive leadership of the Ill. Dr. Augustus P. Sutton, 33˚/96˚ and Ill. Dr. Ledell Veal, 33˚, my election is perhaps one of the most important accomplishments in Freemasonry in our great country and I thank you very much for your support.

     Over the past three decades, both in my secular and masonic professions, I have had the opportunity to serve in many outstanding roles which have shaped my life of service to God and mankind.

     I don't pretend to think that I am going to have the same impact on your lives as God has had upon mine, but if I can get each of you to reflect and act upon what I propose for the United Supreme Council, we will begin a landslide which will snowball our masonic fraternity into another century of regularity and successful operation. 

     Our forefathers sought to secure our place in history through what I call ‘PEER’ leadership. Granted it is an acronym, but I submit to you that never before in the history of our lodges and chapters has there been a greater need for ‘PEER’ leadership. ‘PEER’ leadership stands for leadership based on Promotion, leadership based on Education, leadership based on Economics and leadership based on Research. Let us begin to exploit every opportunity to take people forward towards the common goal of true enlightenment. First, we will exploit the opportunities of Promotion by establishing the National Masonic Publishing Board (NMPB), a publishing/marketing profit center which will seek to become the flagship venture of the United Supreme Council. Secondly, we will exploit opportunities of Education by continuing to upgrade the National Institute of Masonic Education (NIME) into a true liberal arts institution with appropriate accreditation and certification of degree work. Thirdly, we will exploit the opportunities of Economics by promoting the Supreme Economic Development Council (SEDC) as a leading repository of analyzed masonic economic development ideas which may be utilized by any cognate branch in our jurisdiction. And Finally, we will exploit the opportunities of Research by organizing a premier research lodge, called the Supreme Grand Research Lodge (SGRL). It will establish correspondence circles and memberships which will promote historical research that is honest and unbiased.

     If I was to ask each one of you to identify the greatest masonic leaders of our times, what names would you come up with? Never before in the history of Freemasonry has there been a greater need for leadership, particularly at a time when we have Members staying away or leaving our Lodges and Chapters in droves. Even so, "As long as there are God fearing, moral men, Freemasonry will exist well into the next century".

    Through our Economic Development, we have the potential to make a real and positive change in the community. This is one of our key areas of focus here at The United Supreme Council, AASRM, 33rd And Last Degree Of Freemasonry, For The Southern and Western Masonic Jurisdiction, USA, and a source of much success for our Volunteer Organization. Get in touch with us today and see how you can lend a helping hand with this program.