COMMITTEE FORMATION
In February of 2011, Norwich
residents voluntarily formed the Emancipation Proclamation Commemoration Committee (EPCC) whose goal is to plan an anniversary
celebration on January 1, 2013. Committee members now include representatives of the City of Norwich (including the Mayor),
Friends of the Norwich Bells, Norwich Historical Society, Norwich Branch of the NAACP, Norwich Area Clergy Association and the
City of Norwich Historian. Learning
of the Verdin Company's mobil bell foundry, the committee decided to cast a very unique bell to commemorate the Emancipation
Proclamation.
This
bell will be cast right here in Norwich in June of 2012. It will permanently reside in Norwich to pay tribute
to, remember, respect and honor all of the people who were forced into slavery and had no control over the destiny of
their life on this earth.
As of
October 2011, the Council of the City of Norwich resolved this group to officially convene on behalf of the City.
The EPCC is also working on plans for other events leading up to the January 1st,
2013 Celebration. Other events will most likely correspond to significant dates relevant to the Civil War and the Emancipation
Proclamation.
Officers
Dale Plummer, Chair
& City of Norwich Historian
Shiela Hayes, Vice
Chair
Melinda Wilson, Secretary
Advisory
Committee
Peter A.
Nystrom, Mayor of Norwich
Pete Desaulniers, President Pro Tempore,
Norwich City Council
Jacqueline
Owens, President, Norwich Branch NAACP
Gregory
Perry, President, Norwich Area Clergy Association
Kevin Harkins, President, Friends of the Norwich Bells
Kathy Barry-Shannon, Board of Directors,
Norwich Historical Society
Father
Nick Dellermann, Representative, Norwich Area Clergy Association
