29 June 2005

Governor Sebelius announces participants in the “Let Freedom Ring” ceremony, July 4

Nearly two weeks ago, Governor Kathleen Sebelius called upon civic and community leaders in Kansas to join her in a Fourth of July celebration new to the state. This Independence Day the Governor will lead the state’s participation in the national “Let Freedom Ring” ceremony, which includes the ringing of the Normandy Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to mark the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

“I am honored to take part in this celebration of our nation’s freedom,” Governor Sebelius said. “I encourage Kansans to join me in letting freedom ring on July 4.”

The Governor has encouraged churches and other public gathering sites around the state to join the celebration of freedom at exactly 1 p.m. by ringing bells thirteen times, in honor of the thirteen original states represented on the Declaration of Independence. Each participating site in Kansas will be recognized in a special proclamation signed by the Governor that day and will be provided with an official, signed copy of the Governor’s proclamation.

Governor Sebelius will ring the Mitchell County Museum bell in Beloit, Kansas.

There are now 50 locations that will be ringing bells. The participating locations are:

St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church, Andover

Harper County Courthouse, Anthony

Mitchell County Museum, Beloit

St. Patrick’s Church, Chanute

Clay County Courthouse, Clay Center

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Damar

Butler County Courthouse, El Dorado

Christ Lutheran Church, Eureka

St. Mary Catholic Church, Garden City

St. Rose of Lima Church, Great Bend

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Great Bend

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hepler

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Herrington

St. Peter Lutheran Church, Humboldt

St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Independence

Kingman County Historical Society, Kingman

Presbyterian Church, Larned

Walsburg Lutheran Church, Leonardville

First Presbyterian Church, Liberal

St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Liberal

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Junction City

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Junction City

St. Frances Xavier, Junction City

First Presbyterian Church, Manhattan

Kansas State University, Manhattan

Seven Dolors Catholic Church, Manhattan

Marion Presbyterian Church, Marion

Our Savior Lutheran Church, Marion

Valley United Methodist Church, Marion

Marion County Historical Society, Marion

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Marysville

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Norton

Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg

Rossville United Methodist Church, Rossville

First Lutheran Church, Topeka

Christ the King, Topeka

Holy Name Parish, Topeka

First Christian Church, Topeka

St. Joseph’s Church, Topeka

Lowman United Methodist Church, Topeka

West Union School House, Topeka

Washburn University, Topeka

Grace Cathedral, Topeka

St. James Parish, Wetmore

Church of the Magdalene, Wichita

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wichita

First United Methodist Church, Wichita

Bethany United Methodist Church, Wichita

Woodland United Methodist Church, Wichita

St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Wichita

For more information about the celebration or to register your site, please contact the Governor’s Office:

Toll free: (800) 748-4408

Constituent Services

State Capitol

300 SW 10th Avenue

Topeka, KS 66612