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THE1 Community TRUST

June 15, 2001

Mrs. Gillian Sorensen Assistant to Secretary General Kofi Annan United Nations Room 3800 New York, NY 10017 FAX: 212/963-1185

Dear Gillian:

RE: Secretary General's Speech to the

When Secretary General Kofi Annan addresses the Annual Meeting of the National Urban League in Washington, D. C. on Monday, July 30th, he will be addressing the oldest and largest African American civil rights organization in the dating back to 1910. Today with a budget of $42 million and 112 affiliates in 34 states, he will find an audience in excess of 2000. These are people dedicated to the League's long- time commitment to access, equality and improvement for minorities.

With a long-time emphasis on economic empowerment and social justice under the leadership of Whitney Young and then , the League reached national prominence and influence. Under the leadership of Hugh Price, it has reached the pinnacle of success with access to the highest level of government and business leadership. Many corporate leaders will be present in Washington at the League's Annual Meeting. In addition, President Bush and Senate Leader Tom Daschle will also address the assembly following the Secretary General's speech. This is a wonderful opportunity for the Secretary to not only touch multiple levels of influence in our country, but also go to the heart of the African American community. These are largely middle- class people working, or affiliated, with the National Urban League and its affiliates. As they reside in Washington, I would not be surprised if Anne and Vernon Jordan show up as well.

Hugh Price, as President of the National Urban League, brings an enormously rich background to this position. A graduate of Amherst College and Yale Law School, he has served in city government in New Haven, as well as on the Editorial Board of . Additionally, he was vice president of Public Television in New York, and vice president of the before taking over the helm of the National Urban League. Hugh and his wife, Marilyn, have traveled abroad extensively; although Hugh's most poignant memory is of being in Cape Town South Africa on February 2,1990 when President Frederik Willem de Klerk announced that Nelson Mandela was to be freed. It is worth hearing from Hugh the magic and meaning of that moment, not only in South Africa, but also in the world.

It is Hugh's hope that the Secretary General will take those assembled for the National Urban League's Annual Meeting on a global journey sharing with the delegates his insights into major world issues such as peace, justice and equality, which concern him

222 North LaSalle Street Suite 1400 Chicago, Illinois 60601-1009 [312] 372-3356 Fax [312] 580-7411 Page 2 June 15, 2001

as our most pre-eminent world leader. That "journey" should, if possible, let the audience see the wonderful human side of Kofi Annan as he grapples with such specific problems as Aids in Africa, the results of ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, religious conflict in Israel and the list goes on. The excellent people in the Urban League movement are deeply entrenched in important struggles on behalf of African Americans in multiple spheres. To hear their human concerns reflected in the comments made by the Secretary General as he shares parts of his world agenda would be a moving experience, I am sure.

This will be an experience the Secretary General will enjoy. I know, too, that he will enjoy getting to know Hugh and Marilyn Price. They are very close friends of ours as are the Annans. I am overjoyed with this opportunity for them to meet. I am now doing everything possible to adjust my calendar in order to be in Washington to hear the Secretary General speak. I hope this letter is a helpful follow-up to our telephone conversation of yesterday.

Warmest best wishes.

Sincerely,

Y Donald M. Stewartv "^'"^' President and CEO

DMS'.MAG

P. S. Say "hi" to Ted!