Welcome To Our "Black History" Page
A Tribute to Reverend Dr. Curtis West Harris #33
FOREWARD
Throughout the year, it is important that we bring attention to those individuals, especially of African American descent, that have made significant contributions to our communities and the world as we now know it. In keeping with that concept, it is with great honor and humility that the members of the 12th Masonic District pay tribute to one of our very own. That individual is the Reverend Dr. Curtis W. Harris of Shiloh Lodge #33. It is next to impossible to place into words the entire life of events, or the host of significant accomplishments contributed to this humble and dedicated man. However, in our own way, we will attempt to bring to light some of his most noticable accomplishments.
"THE REVEREND DR. CURTIS WEST HARRIS #33"
Rev. Curtis W. Harris was born July 1, 1924 in Surry County, Virginia. He was reared in the inner city of Hopewell, Virginia where he received his primary education in its public school system. Rev. Harris graduated from Carter G. Woodson High School and also became certified in Clinical Training for Pastors from the Medical College of Virginia. He also studied at the Urban Training Center for Christian Mission in Chicago, Illinois and at Virginia State University.
Rev. Harris remembers his childhood as one spent in poverty. Though they were poor, he was taught early in life the importance of sharing with those who were not so fortunate.This sharing trait was the most influential factor in Rev. Harris's call to the ministry, and attributed to the roles that he later played in helping to liberate his people. Observing the unselfishness of his mother as she divided and shared with others whatever she had, was instrumental in helping to mold Rev. Harris into a caring and sharing individual. Rev. Harris was licenced as a Minister on July 13, 1957 and ordained on April 1, 1959. These were both done under the direction of Dr. G.W. King who was the pastor of Union Baptist Church at that time.
In 1960 he organized the Hopewell Improvement Association, which is an affliate of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He was elected as the Vice President at that time. He was also arrested in 1960 and sentenced to 60 days in jail for his participation in a "Sit In" at George's Drug Store in Hopewell, VA. There were 75 others arrested for trespassing at that same time. During that same year, Rev. Harris led a protest against the segregation of the swimming pool and cemetery in Hopewell. This protest led to the pool being closed and later filled in with cement.
Rev. Harris became a member of the National Board for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1961. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was the president at that time. That same year, the legislative committee of the Virginia General Assembly cited Rev. Harris for contempt because of his unwillingness to disclose the names of other members of the organization or answer other questions asked by the "Boatwright" committee. During the trial in Hopewell, VA on March 29, 1962, ministers from all parts of the Old Dominion accompanied Rev. Harris to court, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Thus was the direction of his future set and the road paved for his other many historical endeavors.
The following is a chronological list from 1963 to 2002 to display a few of the items that impacted history because of this living legend. 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1971 1972 1978 1979 1981 1982 1983 1984 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 There are many awards and accomplishments that have not been posted on this page. There also continues to be many awards and accolades presented to this great man for his dedication, perseverance and love of his fellow man. We are extremely proud to proclaim him a member of the Prince Hall Family. He is a Past Master of Shiloh Lodge #33, F&AM, Past Worthy Patron of Lily of the Valley #44 O.E.S. (PHA) and a member of the 12th Masonic District. Through his courage and desire for change, he has and continues to make significant differences in the various communities and throughout the world and we are proud to pay tribute to Reverend Dr. Curtis West Harris. Reverend Harris Thoughts For The Young:
1963
* Elected president of the Virginia State Unit of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and served until 1998
*Arrested in Danville, VA for inciting people to riot
*Placed his two sons Curtis, Jr. and Kenneth, into the all white Hopewell High School as the first Blacks to intergrate the school
*Marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Washington
*Became Executive Director of the Virginia Council on Human Relations
*Marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from Selma to Montgomery Alabama in support of the Voting Rights Act which eventually passed
*Openly criticized the Virginia "Byrd" Machine
*Confronted the Klu Klux Klan on the steps of Hopewell City Hall to protest putting a landfill in the Black community
*A Cross was erected, but not burnt, in the front yard of his home
*Bombs were thrown through the picture window of his home and the window of Harris Snack Bar
*Pink Vinyl paint was poured on his automobile
*Received Recognition Award from Virginia State Unit of SCLC
*Helped coordinate the Poor Peoples Campaign and Ressurection City
* He was placed on the Virginia Advisory Board of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
*Attended the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
*Testified before a Congressional Committee on Hunger in Virginia
*Received Outstanding Service Award from Ushers Union of Hopewell and Vicinity
*Arrested in Suffolk, Virginia on Oct. 22nd for trespassing while helping hospital workers
*Received Outstanding Citizen Award from Virginia Council 9f Social Welfare
*Received Citizen of the Year Award from Delta Omega Chapter
*Man of the Year Award-Petersburg Chapter National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women Club
*Outstanding Services and Deeds to Mankind
*Outstanding Services Rendered Award
*Received Honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree
*Received Certificate of Recognition Award
*Received Dedicated Service Award from the President Board of Visitors & Faculty of Virginia State College
*Elected President of the Virginia State Unit of the SCLC
*Received Rosa Parks Award
*Received Inspirational Award
*Received Centennial Community Award
*Certificate of Appreciation from Kellam High School
*Community Spirit Award from Tabernacle Baptist Church
*Citizen of the Year Award-Petersburg Consistory #144, 32rd Degree Masons(PHA)
*Received Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award
*Received Alumni Award from Carter G. Woodson School
*Received Honary Doctorate of Law from Virginia Seminary and College
*Recognition of Excellence Award_U.S. Department of Housing &Urban Development
*Majestic Leader Award-Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention
*Elected to Hopewell city council on May 6th
*Community Relations Award from Prince William County NAACP
*Led march in Colonial Heights, VA against discrimination
*Received Citizen of the Year Award from Delta Omega Chapter
*Outstanding Achievement Award from the citizens of Hopewell
*Led a march on Fort Lee against discrimination in employment
*Received Support of Children Award from Hopewell School Board
*Assisted in advancing voting proposal through US Justice Dept. with the help of long time friend Dick Gregory
*Declared Man of Conviction in a Hopewell News Editorial
*Received Unmatched Determination Award from the National Board of SCLC
*Received the Jon D. Strother Human Rights Award
*Liftime Service to Fellowmen Award
*Certificate of Service Award from the US Commission on Civil Rights
*Arrested for trespassing in protest of inappropriate management practices at a local skating rink
*Received the 1996 City Achievement Award-Hopewell, VA
*Filed complaint with TRADOC in reference to discrimination at Training and Doctrine Command in the US Army
*Declared war on drugs in Hopewell City by organizing city agencies to rally against the drug culture
*Re-appointed to Virginia Advisory Council of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
*Elected and sworn in on July 7th as the first Black Mayor of the city of Hopewell, VA
*Assisted in initiating the restoration process of a Hopewell City Landmark-(The Beacon Theatre)
*Received the American Century Award from the Washington Times Foundation
*Received Strong Men and Women:Excellence in Leadership Award
*Honored at the 11th Anniversary Celebration of Outstanding Achievements by African-Americans (Colin Powell was recipient at same time)
*Awarded Outstanding Leadership Award from Hopewell High School during Black History Month
*Invited to appear with Andrew Young and others for the dedication of the James Farmer Memorial
*Saluted in proclamation by CWA Local 2336 for Outstanding Accomplishments
*Recognized by Attorney General Mark L. Earley for outstanding leadership, perseverance and dedication
*Cited by Gov. Mark Warner, under the Constitution of the Commonwealth of VA for Outstanding Service in The Virginia Communities
*Saluted by Senator Henry L. Marsh during the VA Senate for Outstanding Service In The Commonwealth of Virginia
*Saluted by LTG Billy R. Solomon, U.S.Commanding General at Fort Lee, VA for dedicated service
"As the little lad gave freely of his lunch, 2 fish and 5 barley loaves, which was magnified by Christ and became the supper for thousands, so does every young person have something that Christ can use to supply the needs of others".
