The Ban Bus

(New Haven & Hartford, CT November 24,1997) The Ban Bus was joined today by Loung Ung, Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, who represented the US Campaign to Ban Landmines on the multinational Ban Bus. The team started the day in New Haven, CT at a press conference organized by the Connecticut Coalition to Abolish Landmines. At 1l am, all the church bells in New Haven rang in unison to send the Ban Bus on its way to Hartford where they were welcomed at another press conference at the Capital Building. Connecticut Governor Rowland’s Chief of Staff, Richard Bloomingthal presented the Ban Bus with a State of Connecticut Proclamation supporting a ban on landmines. State Senator Tony Hart also presented the Ban Bus with a Proclamation, and gave an eloquent speech in support of a landmine ban.

The Ban Bus thanked Senators Joseph Lieberman and Christopher Dodd for supporting the Landmine Elimination Act and Connecticut Representatives Nancy Johnson, James Maloney, Christopher Shays, Rosa DeLauro, Sam Gejdenson and Barbara Kennelley for their support. All Connecticut Senators and Representatives support legislation banning antipersonnel landmines.

Thanks go out to CT coalition to Abolish Landmines for organizing the events, especially Rob Forbes and Nathan Karnes. Special thanks to Representative Jessie Stratten, Governor John Rowland, Attorney General Sydney Hallbrook, Sen. Tony Hart, Senator Dodd’s office, Miles Rappaport, Bruce Blair, Bruce martin, and all the rest. Thank you!