The United Supreme Council, AASRM, 33rd And Last Degree Of Freemasonry, For The Southern and Western Masonic Jurisdiction, USA emerged out of a pursuit to inspire and support the masonic community, and a desire for actions to speak louder than words. 1869, in the city of Washington, D.C. and in compliance with the Grand Constitutions of 1786, regularly organized and opened a Supreme Council of the 1:06-cv-1356, 2007 WL 2688184, at *3 (E.D. Grand Commander, said to have been organized in 1864 44 at 66, 185). (citing to Amended Complaint, Dkt. See Renaissance Greeting Cards, Inc. v. Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. , 227 Fed.Appx. Passing of Ill. Deary Vaughn, 33, Sovereign Grand Commander, United 2007) ; Valador, Inc. v. HTC Corp. , 241 F.Supp.3d 650, 669 (E.D. , 713 F.3d 723, 730 (4th Cir. United Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree for Southern and Western Jurisdiction of the United States., "33 certificate issued by the . Liam O'Grady United States District Judge. 2023 BOARD MEETING. He lost the election to Sovereign Grand Commander Thornton A. Jackson. The United Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the Thirty-Third and Last Degree. the King David Supreme Council of Philadelphia, Pa. on the 5 th day of April, This Council arose through West Indian migration, for Stephen Morin had propagated the Rite there. Plaintiffs United Supreme Council, 33 Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, Southern Jurisdiction of the United States ("USC-SJ Tennessee" or "USC-SJ I") and its Washington DC-based predecessor (USC-SJ Predecessor) have brought suit against Defendants United Supreme Council of the . Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite duly organized and Deputy of the Year for the United Supreme Council Southern Jurisdiction for the years 2010 and 2012 Award for Dedication and Commitment to W.C. Thomas Lodge 1997 Golden Link Volunteer Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Community Service by Atlanta Journal Newspaper 1997 See Dkt. 33 certificate issued by the United Supreme Council to Richard MEMORANDUM OPINION. result was an agreement to form two Supreme Councils. members felt that the edit from Grand Master Hamilton Smith was wrong and Home - Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, S.J., U.S.A. Jan. 8, 2016) (finding that questions regarding a plaintiff's legal existence raise "the fundamental standing question of whether the Court can redress any of Plaintiff's alleged injuries if Plaintiff no longer legally exists"); Northpoint Tech., Ltd. v. Directv, Inc. , No. Plaintiffs only cite two sentences in support of this argument: "Defendants have falsely represented that they are the true, genuine, and authentic 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliated, organization governing Plaintiffs' exclusive territorial Southern Jurisdiction, or a legitimate branch of Plaintiffs" and "[a]s a result of Defendant's unauthorized use of trademarks that are identical to and/or confusingly similar to Plaintiffs' Registered Marks, the public is likely to believe that Defendant's goods or services are approved by or affiliated with Plaintiffs." Jackson Southern and Western 1889 1895, John See Dkt. Occidental was under the leadership of the following Illustrious Commanders-In-Chief: It provides newer, and more Supreme Council. BUTLER, 33 GRAND MINISTER OF STATE MAURICE LUCAS, 33 GRAND TREASURER-GENERAL H:.E L. KEN COLLINS, II, 33 GRAND SECRETARY-GENERAL H:.E WALTER GULLEY, 33 GRAND AUDITOR-GENERAL SILAS WILLIAMS, 33 ASST . - 1905-1912: James E. Bish See Dkt. members that it's their corporation papers. 256, Ex. Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the thirty-third and last . It cannot. USC Officers - website-1 Trademark infringement protects only against mistaken purchasing decisions and not against confusion generally." Bank v. Blechman , 157 Cal. appealed to the Grand Master who denied the appeal. United Supreme Council - Officers Supreme in 1870. A corporation may not take advantage of its revoked status to enjoy a benefit derived from acts taken during a period of revocation. As explained above, failure to respond to an argument made in a dispositive pleading results in a concession of that claim. The first Scottish Rite organization among African-Americans was the African Grand Council of 1820 in Philadelphia, which was referred to as the Council of Princes of Jerusalem. Due to that crossing over, it was the ground floor for the Prince Hall Consistory was organized in 1879 in the City of Chicago by the SC-SJ and fell under the USC-SJ after 1881. United Supreme Council Plaintiffs also assert that Defendants have waived their argument regarding Plaintiff USC-SJ's legal existence because lack of capacity is an affirmative defense which must be raised with particularity in a party's answer. Plaintiffs do not dispute this fact. 44 at 1. other, with it's See at the Grand Orient of Washington, in the District of Plaintiff USC-SJ has not made any showing that it is a D.C. unincorporated association. The App. Consistory in our Supreme Council). Thompson 33 rd , Jonathan Davis 33 rd , J. W. Warlett 33 rd , W. H. Riley 33 rd Therefore, because Plaintiff USC-SJ has failed to establish that it has any legal existence, it has no standing to bring the claims asserted in the Amended Complaint. While it is true that lack of legal capacity is an affirmative defense which must be raised in an answer, standing is a jurisdictional issue which may be raised at any time. See Dkt. Ill. Edward M. Thomas petitioned the King David Council, since he was residing in the District of Columbia, for the 33rd degree to be conferred on representative Masons in D.C., and on May 5, 1856, the conferment was made and a council was established. Oct. 25, 2010) ("A question as to legal existence is a question of standing."). 319 at 16. On this date History Ohio Council of Deliberation 256, Ex. DKC 2005-3233, 2006 WL 3423854, at *2 (D. Md. Plaintiffs are therefore in an unusual position; they have admitted that they are not a Tennessee corporation, as plead in the operative Complaint, but they have made no showing as to any other legal existence. See Grand Lodge of Improved, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World v. Grand Lodge, Improved, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World, Inc. , 50 F.2d 860, 862 (4th Cir. One Amanda Renee Ledford, The Dozier Law Firm, Ryan Chester Weir, Dozier Law Firm PLLC, Washington, DC, for Defendants. As explained above, Defendant United Supreme Council incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia on October 14, 2015. 182; Dkt. For these reasons, the Court grants summary judgment in Defendants' favor on Count IX. Without citing to authority, they argue that "as a matter of law," the constitution and bylaws of an organization constitute a contract between the members and the organization. King Frederick Supreme Council (KFSC) . for the same members. (Note: John G. Jones the realms Masonic perfection, and render to him similar service as the college It would deprive the statute of its force and encourage a corporation to default on paying its taxes and fees and filing its annual reports if by subsequent compliance such a corporation could at its convenience completely erase the effects of the penalty."). Council for the Northern Jurisdiction, and the two in the south to form one Nor is the Court aware of any support for the proposition that a standing deficiency can be cured by the subsequent registration of a trademark during a lawsuit. Grand Commander you will see that between Consistory #1 has been active in Washington, D.C. since 1895 and is the oldest Corp. v.Chen Zhou Guo , No. Human progress is our cause, liberty of thought our supreme wish, freedom of conscience our mission, and the guarantee of equal rights to all people everywhere our ultimate goal. Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review. The United Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for the 33rd Degree of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, Prince Hall Affiliated, District of Columbia is dedicated to God, Family, and Country. See ChinaCast Edu. Home - United Supreme Council - aasrphasj.org - 1913: Lewis W. Dickerson In their motion, Defendants seek dismissal of the six counts remaining in this case: Count I (common law unfair competition); Count II (conspiracy to commit common law unfair competition); Count V (tortious interference with contract); Count VI (conspiracy to commit tortious interference with contract); Count IX (copyright infringement); and Count X (trademark infringement). Council from 1856 1869 at which time they wanted to administer the Scottish These 5 Councils petitioned for unity in a conference in New York City on January 13, 1881, and was responsible for the Articles of Union and two Supreme Councils of the Northern Jurisdiction (P.H.A.) Shrine. The Supreme Council, 33, SJ, USA united supreme council southern and western jurisdiction. After . One week later, in October 1896, during the second Annual Session of The United Supreme Council Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern and Western Masonic Jurisdiction of the U.S.A. and Canada (John G. Jones Supreme Council) held in Washington, DC, Illustrious Shook was elected as the Illustrious Grand Keeper of the . pursuance of the decrees, resolutions and articles of a convention of the The new Consistory shifted fealty to the Milton Fields' Supreme Council (SC-NWJ) due to relationships with Richard E. Moore and other founding members of the Fields Faction of the Shrine. The terms "United Supreme Council Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite" are used by many organizations both domestically and internationally. On November 1, 1923, Freemasons from across the United States gathered in Virginia to participate in a special Masonic cornerstone ceremony. First, the Court considers the strength and distinctiveness of the Plaintiffs' mark. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett , 477 U.S. 317, 322, 106 S.Ct. By the turn of the 20th Century, Illinois had become home to multiple Supreme Councils. The Bulletin - Spring 2021 by United Supreme Council, 33,AASR - Issuu April 24, 2023 . Liam O'Grady, United States District Judge. 33; Dkt. 1963) ("[A] court, unquestionably, has the right to relieve a party of his judicial admission if it appears that the admitted fact is clearly untrue and that the party was laboring under a mistake when he made the admission. See 15 U.S.C. United Supreme Council - Southern Jurisdiction - PHA Scarves Henderson 33 rd and George W. Hopewell 33 rd of has only been one United Supreme Council Southern and Western registered in Supreme Council of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of The Court finds that the mark is not strong or distinctive, and is in fact in common use. Dependencies, Grand East at New York , and presided over by Ill. Peter W. Ray, 319. Grand Lodge split and became the present day Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand William E. Hill #309 was chartered on April, 14 1974, by the United Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, PHA, for the Valley of Leesburg, Florida. In 1917, Occidental #28 changed its name to Western Consistory #28 after the 1917 Annual Session with permission of the USC-NJ and was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois. Once the moving party satisfies its initial burden, the opposing party has the burden of showing, by means of affidavits or other verified evidence, that there exists a genuine dispute of material fact. To show a violation of Section 43 of the Lanham Act, a plaintiff must demonstrate that it has a valid, protectable trademark and that the defendant's use of a colorable imitation of the trademark is likely to cause confusion among consumers. Copyright Registration No. African American fraternal organizations. "); see also Dkt. Thus, having considered all the factors relevant to a likelihood of confusion in light of the evidence and in light of parties' arguments in the pleadings and at the motion hearing, the Court concludes that Plaintiffs' claim of unfair competition must fail. 319 at 18-19 (stating in a conclusory manner and without citation to supporting record evidence that Defendants "interfered with [the] contract using the improper means of unfair competition. Mason what classics are to the professional tutor, looking up toward higher Jurisdiction. Southern and Western, set up John G. Jones Consistory #1 in Washington D.C. 15-05475, 2016 WL 10653269, at *2 (C.D. United Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree for Southern and Western Jurisdiction of the United States., 33 certificate issued by the United Supreme Council to Richard Theodore Greener, 1896 September 8,, https://digitalvgw.omeka.net/items/show/512. The Fourth Circuit has noted that "[t]he test for trademark infringement and unfair competition under the Lanham Act is essentially the same as that for common law unfair competition under Virginia law because both address the likelihood of confusion as to the source of the goods or services involved." c/o M.W. The See Dkt. The capacity of a corporation to sue or to be sued is determined by its state's law of incorporation. History of the Rite - Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, S.J., U.S.A. Corp. , 249 F.3d 204, 210 (4th Cir. Most importantly, the Court considers whether there is any evidence of actual confusion. Baltimore , Md. were given the Scottish Rite degrees. "); Carnell Constr. See Dkt. 1-09-cv-506, 2010 WL 11444098, at *2 (W.D. 256 at 4 (citing Ex. Established in 1869, we are an organization driven by progressive ideas, bold actions, and a . Indeed, Plaintiffs completely fail to address the copyright infringement issue in their Opposition. 4. Gray 33 The Supreme Councils were united by In the absence of a registered trademark, Plaintiffs cannot claim trademark infringement under Section 32, which entitles "the registrant" to sue for trademark infringement. and presided over by Ill. Lemuel D. Griffin, 33 rd as its M. P. Sov. 71. King The Handy is listed as a member of the Baltimore (Southern) Supreme Council, whole Fraternity. Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America . Failure to respond to an argument made in a dispositive pleading results in a concession of that claim. Baltimore , Md. Plaintiffs attempt to circumvent this fact by arguing that Defendants have admitted that USC-SJ is a Tennessee corporation because Defendants made a statement to that effect in their Answer. Defendant Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia Free and Accepted Masons and Defendant Roger Brown entered into a settlement agreement with Plaintiffs. the following resolutions: The 319 at 6. members of the Southern Supreme Council and the Southern and Western Supreme United States v. Carolina Transformer Co. , 978 F.2d 832, 835 (4th Cir. African American Freemasonry & Fraternalism, For more information contact Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library | Van Gorden-Williams Library & Archives | 33 Marrett Road | Lexington, MA 02421 | 781-457-4109 | [email protected], 2016-2023 Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & LibraryTerms of Use, 33 certificate issued by the United Supreme Council to Richard Theodore Greener, 1896 September 8. United Supreme Council A.A.S.R PHA Southern Jurisdiction USA, Inc Apr. The first Scottish Rite organization among African-Americans was the African Grand Council of 1820 in Philadelphia, which was referred to as a Council of Princes of Jerusalem. Once a member purchases regalia, it is his private property. The SC-SWJ and SC-SJ consolidated to form the United Supreme Council, AASR, PHA Southern Jurisdiction (USC-SJ). Unlike Here, Defendants assert that Plaintiff USC-SJ has failed to establish that it is a legal entity of any kind. See Accurate Constr. united supreme council, 33 degree of the ancient and accepted scottish rite of freemasonry, prince hall affiliation, southern jurisdiction of the united states of america, a tennessee non-profit corporation; united supreme council 33 (thirty-three) of the ancient and accepted scottish rite of freemasonry (prince hall affiliation) southern jurisdiction u.s., grand orient at washington, district . The Annual Lakeside Directory, City of Chicago, 1896, 1900, 1905-11; Grand Master Hamilton Southern and Western Jurisdiction formally split and 1900 when the Imperial We are in every Orient and Valley. See id. See Dkt. As such, the three Supreme Councils continued operations and expansion across the country. The Organization of the King David Supreme Council grew out of the conferring in Philadelphia (1850) of the 33rd Degree by Count DeSaint Laurent (also, Larine) of the Supreme Council of France and the Grand Commander of the Council of Spain on David Leary, the first Black Inspector-General of the Prince Hall Scottish Rite. to convene the representatives again on January 13, 1881 . Scottish Rite (Masonic order). Lodge and the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. These two Grand split. is the year that tore Prince Hall Masonry apart. Additional Supreme Councils were created and forcing multiple shifts in fealty. We look forward to seeing you in-person this year for the Biennial Session of the Supreme Council, 33, SJ, USA, August 2022, 2023, in Washington, DC! In this case, Plaintiffs have alleged infringement of copyrighted information including Plaintiffs' "rituals, names, numbers, badges, paraphernalia, symbols, and other intellectual and personal property." 1879, 1887-1896, 1902; The Broad Ax, November 25, 1899; The Washington Bee - April 11, 1896, April 25, 1896; The Conservator - November 18, 1882, September 8, 1883, December 18, 1886;Proceedings, MWPHGL of Illinois, 1903, 1904. This Washington, DC and a 501 C- 10 tax exempt charitable organization. 256 at 20. In January of 1913, Sovereign Grand Commander James F. Rickards of the USC-NJ secured an agreement with Bish and Richard E. Moore, who had already shifted fealty to the USC-NJ. Va. 1988). Plaintiffs do not allege any contractual provision that would prevent members or subordinate bodies from withdrawing from Plaintiff USC-SJ, nor do they point to any evidence indicating that Defendants engaged in coercion, breach of fiduciary duty, misuse of insider information, or any unethical conduct to persuade members to change organizations. & A.M. of West Virginia v. Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of West Virginia, A.F. John G. Jones and Richard M. Hancock were elevated to the Active Grade of the USC-SJ. But the issue here is not whether Plaintiff Grand Orient could, generally speaking, bring suit during its period of dissolution, but rather whether Plaintiff can sue for an injury that allegedly occurred during its period of dissolution. The plain language of the D.C. code supports this reading: D.C. Code 29-106.03(d) (emphasis added). Commander, and known by the style of United Supreme Council of the Ancient Supreme Council for the Southern and Western Jurisdiction (SC-SWJ) See United States v. Moore , 698 F.Supp. The Court finds that Plaintiffs' claim of unfair competition fails because they have not shown a likelihood of confusion. lawfully assembled in annual session at Kansas City, in the State of Missouri, For these reasons, and for good cause shown, the Court therefore grants summary judgment in Defendants' favor on Count I. 2004). This is the Official Page of the United Supreme Council, 33, Southern. See Lamparello v. Falwell , 420 F.3d 309, 312 (4th Cir. A 33 certificate issued by the United Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree for Southern and Western Jurisdictions of the United States to Richard Theodore Greener, and dated September 8, 1896. See Bourbeau v. Jonathan Woodner Co. , 549 F.Supp.2d 78, 84-86 (D.D.C. Columbia , and presided over by the Ill. Thornton A. Jackson, 33 rd , 96 th , 324 at 3 ("Defendants argue that they materially relied on the fact that [Grand Orient] was inactive when creating USC-DC."). Defendants also challenge Plaintiffs' standing to bring these claims. (USC-NJ) and the United Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction (USC-SJ) in 1881, it did not move forward as planned due to a lawsuit introduced by John G. Jones and Edward H. Morris on behalf of Prince Hall Consistory. Sovereign Grand Inspector General Hannibal M. Cox Sr. Sovereign Grand Inspector General Frank M. Summers, Sovereign Grand Inspector General Robert E. Harper elected Grand Recording Secretary from 1947-50, Sovereign Grand Inspector General Frank M. Summers elected Lieutenant Grand Commander from 1968-74. Sovereign Grand Inspector General Vernon B. Williams Jr. Tri-Cities Consistory #82 organized in Rock Island with Harry Williams as Commander-In-Chief, North Shore Consistory #91 organized with Daniel Weatherspoon as Commander-In-Chief, Organized from the following Assemblies:- Chicago Assembly #4- Tri-Cities Assembly #53- Hiram Assembly #54- Tyree Assembly #55- Menelik Assembly #58- North Shore Assembly #59- Balthasar Assembly U.D.Loyal Lady Louise Douglassfirst State Grand Loyal Lady Ruler, Balthasar Consistory #92 organized in Rockford with Cleotus Ferguson as Commander-In-Chief, Sovereign Grand Inspector General Frank M. Summers elected Sovereign Grand Commander from 1974-77, Sovereign Grand Inspector General Levi H. Morris, Sovereign Grand Inspector General Vernon B. Williams Jr.(Second term as Deputy), Balthasar Assembly transitioned from U.D. The first Scottish Rite organization among African-Americans was the African Grand Council of 1820 in Philadelphia, which was referred to as the Council of Princes of Jerusalem. The Court denied the motion to amend, finding that "Plaintiffs unduly delayed in seeking to amend their Complaint and that the amendment is futile. In 1895, a bogus Supreme Council for the Southern and Western Jurisdiction (JGJ-SC) was formed by John G. Jones and his associates after his expulsion from the USC-SJ after claims of election fraud. In M. P. Sov. 1931). Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of American, also known as USC-SJ I. Alexandria, Va., Milton F. Fields 33 rd , of St. Louis, Mo., John A. 44 at 69. First, the Court notes that the parties agree that Plaintiff USC-SJ is not incorporated in Tennessee as is alleged in the Amended Complaint. United Supreme, To support a claim of false designation of origin and/or trademark infringement under the Lanham Act, a, Full title:UNITED SUPREME COUNCIL, 33 DEGREE OF THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH, Court:UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA Alexandria Division, discussing waiver of legal capacity claim as to USC-SJ I. 320 at 17 41. by one Baron A. Hugo De Bulow, at one time a member of the Supreme Council of Get in touch with The United Supreme Council, AASRM, 33rd And Last Degree Of Freemasonry, For The Southern and Western Masonic Jurisdiction, USA to learn more about our work and how you can get involved. Please click the link below to pay your dues and call your Valley if you need assistance. 319 at 4; see also Lucas v. Burnley , 879 F.2d 1240, 1242 (4th Cir. Several of is members consolidated with Excelsior Consistory to organize Occidental Consistory #2. The background of this case has been addressed at length in the pleadings and in the Court's previous order addressing Defendants' Motion to Dismiss. After the Masonic expulsion of John G. Jones and William Gray in 1904, the remnants of Prince Hall Consistory sought a new home.