Lola Mann's Letter to State Presidents at the 2008 NEA RA

Each state president will be receiving the following written request for assistance from Lola Mann. The letter will

1. Explain the “Pass the Hat for Paul” campaign of the Peace and Justice Caucus at the 2008 RA.

2. Request permission to put “Passing the Hat for Paul” literature on the state caucus’ distribution table on July 3.

3. Request permission for a two minute presentation about the Paul Mann Memorial School at about 8am on July 3.

4. Request permission to “Pass the Hat for Paul” at the state caucus on July 3.

Dear Ms./Mr. State President,

I write today to ask a small favor. Specifically, I write to ask you for two minutes of time in the specific state state caucus on the morning of July 3, 2008.

You see a little less than two years ago, my husband Paul Mann, who was a dedicated union activist and leader in the NEA Peace and Justice Caucus, died unexpectedly at his high school in Des Moines, Iowa. This year at the RA, Paul will receive the Applegate-Dorros Award for Peace and International Understanding; and also this year at the RA many friends of Paul are working hard to build a living memorial for Paul. The Paul Mann Memorial School will promote peace, build international understanding, and serve Mayan children in the southeastern Mexican state of Chiapas.

I’d deeply appreciate two minutes of time in the specific state caucus on July 3, 2008 to thank Paul’s supporters and urge delegates to support Paul’s school. I’d also appreciate your permission to pass the hat for Paul and distribute literature about his memorial in specific state.

Please take a moment to see photos and get more information about Paul’s school reconstruction in the southeastern Mexican state of Chiapas.

Please allow me this small space in the specific state state caucus to honor the memory of my husband by building a school in Chiapas, Mexico. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at (515) 277–3731 and thank you for everything you are doing for children and educators.

Yours for kids,

Lola Mann