January 26, 2007

Carolyn Campbell, President

TOPEKA PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD

624 SW 24th Street

Topeka  KS  66611

Dear Mrs. Campbell and Members of USD#501 School Board:

Because of Topeka's honor as the centerpiece of desegregation of The

American Public School (led by Cheryl Brown Henderson and the Brown v

Board National Park Site);

Because of Topeka's emerging honor within the next ten to fifteen years

as a National Tourism Site celebrating the American abolition of

slavery and equal rights for all citizens (led by Bill Wagnon,

restoration of Ritchie House, and development of Freedom's Pathway

Historical Monument to include Monroe School, Ritchie House,

Constitution Hall and Overland Station);

And because of national significance, restoration of the former Sumner

Elementary School will now add to each of the above (led by Sandra

Lassiter);

We respectfully request your support for preserving Sumner School and

enhancing Topeka's meaningful educational, cultural and historical

position in America.

Sincerely,

HILLMER'S LUGGAGE, LEATHER & GIFTS

Walt & Joyce Hillmer

115 SE 6th Avenue

Topeka KS 66603-3564