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[City of Milwaukee Letterhead]
February 22, 1968

Miss Sharon Turner
Carthage College
College Center Box 1083
Kenosha, Wisconsin 53140

Dear Miss Turner:

Please forgive my long delay in answering your kind letter of February 8. I was delighted to find that you had decided to postpone your Afro-American Week observances until March, as I had very much wanted to accept your invitation to participate, and the dates you had originally indicated did come during a particularly hectic time.

I would like to take part in your program during the week of March 18 to 22, and, just now the evenings of Wednesday and Thursday, the 20th and 21st, seem to be open. Unfortunately, I cannot give you an iron-clad guarantee that they will remain so; it seems that my life is full of sudden, unexpected "Big Days" lately, and you should be prepared to hear that something "terribly important" has suddenly come up. However, should this eventually arise, I do promise to do everything in my power to provide you a suitable substitute.

At any rate, if you will let me know which of the two dates I have indicated would be preferable to you, and if you would also indicate what transportation is available, we could proceed to final arrangements. I would also appreciate knowing the size of audience which you anticipate for this appearance.

Again, I thank you so very much for your invitation, and I do look forward to being with you on either the 20th or the 21st of March.

Sincerely,

Vel R. Phillips Alderman, 6th Ward VRP:cms