To Julian Bond from Vel Phillips, 27 Sept 1968, with Bond's draft response

City of Milwaukee Mrs. VEL R. PHILLIPS ALDERMAN 6th WARD Office: City Hall, Room 205 Res.: 374-6464 or 372-6000

Chairman HEALTH-TRAFFIC COMMITTEE Member LICENSES-RULES COMMITTEE

[seal of the city of Milwaukee]

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, 53202

September 27, 1968

Representative Julian Bond The General Assembly State Capitol Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Representative Bond:

I feel sure that you have been besieged with requests for speaking assignments and for that reason I feel guilty to further burden you. This is espeicially so because I have particular knowledge of the pressure of public appearances. I keep telling myself that I am going to cut down, that I will accept no out-of-State assignments and I will restrict my activity not only to the City of Milwaukee, but more specifically to the Black community where I am most needed. Then, without warning, I find myself somewhere hundreds of miles from home sometimes with an all Black audience -- but sometimes in an academic atmosphere which is usually more White than Black, but always I have felt that the venture was worth the extra effort. I think though that people in public office must have tremendous egos (smile).

Perhaps I had better change the subject because the Milwaukee Links will think that I am not working in their best interest, and we would like very much for you to be our guest speaker at a Fund Raising Luncheon. Links nationally this year decided to raise money for the Urban League. Had I been at the Link Convention, I probably

[in red ink the words "a Fund Raising Luncheon" is circled. At the bottom of the letter "Thanks When?]

Representative Julian Bond September 27, 1968 Page 2

would have shocked the group because I would have supported a motion to raise money for the Young Turks of the NAACP. But, as the saying goes -- we need the State Department as well as the War Department in order to win the Freedom Fight and The Urban League does quality in the former role.

Mr. Bond, the one sparkle at the Link meeting was the possibility of your coming. I say quite frankly, that it made for a burse of enthusiasm unequalled at Link meetings. We would like you in the month of November, which is rather soon, but we will take you whenever and as soon as you can possibly come. Of course, we would pay your expenses and take care of any honorarium.

Please let me hear from you as soon as possible. Meanwhile, give my regards to Senator LeRoy Johnson.

Very sincerely, [signature] VEL R. PHILLIPS

VRP:jeg