This body was created at the 1982 Magnolia Council of Deliberation in Jackson, Mississippi. Peer David J. Hickman served as founding president. He served until the 1984 Council of Deliberation at which time Peer Alcee Stalling was elected. It is no accident that the Rite bears the name of Joseph B. Henderson. It was only appropriate to name this body of the active Deputy of the Orient, who had served the masonic family in many capacities, faithfully and unselfishly for more than a quarter of a century, His attributes exemplified well those of the Commander of the Rite.