by Steve McKeown
This past April Congressman Keith Ellison submitted to the Congressional Record a notice of what the Kellogg Briand Pact is and our chapter’s involvement in calling attention to this Pact that outlaws war. Additionally he encouraged members to look for the winners of a Peace Essay Contest facilitated by the West Suburban Peacemakers of Chicago entitled “How can the U.S. obey the law against war?” The best of these essays are to be submitted to Congress in August.
We have been meeting with St Paul Councilman David Thune, and he is confident that a Proclamation he will introduce Aug. 21 at 3:30 p.m. that recognizes the 85th Anniversary of the Pact will pass. Chapter members and supporters are encouraged to attend this meeting in the Council Chambers. We are also planning on having the Pact itself displayed on Kellogg Blvd. along with petitioning during that week. Handwritten signatures now number 7050 from 192 cities and towns in Minnesota calling for a Holiday to remember the Law that outlawed war. Additionally there are 389 from 46 states that have signed while we have been collecting.
Michael and Lizze Gibba, the current residents of the Kellogg House located in St. Paul’s Crocus Hill neighborhood, will be hosting a celebration for the 85th anniversary of the signing of the Kellogg Briand Pact at the house on Aug 27th. Social hour will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the program running from 7 to 8:30. ATTENDEES WILL BE THE FIRST 50 VFP MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS THAT R.S.V.P. to Steve at s.h.mckeown@hotmail.com or 612 869 2040. You can also contact the VFP office, but make sure you have a confirmation.
Lizze is planning the music, which promises to be nothing less than magnificent. A friend of hers, Aliki Burnstone, will write and read poetry about Frank Kellogg and the Pact. Burnstone is a Professor of English at the University of Missouri. She is also a poet, translator, critic, and editor with numerous publications, and has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize twice.
We expect the Proclamation to be presented to the Gibbas, along with another speaker. Light refreshments will be served, and there is no admission. Come celebrate the anniversary of the law that renounced war as an instrument of National Policy and was the legal basis for the Nuremberg Trials after WWII. It is still in effect today, so reserve your spot early to honor and uphold the vital importance of the Kellogg Briand Pact.
Thanks to Dave Lodgson’s entering our chapter for a workshop at the National Convention, where author Dave Swanson and myself will be giving a workshop Aug 9th on ” Abolishing War as an Instrument of National Policy ” centering on the usefulness of the Kellogg Briand Pact.