She was a peacemaker. Her poems are always uplifting.

I know Helen would be proud, using her as a springboard for the voices of future poets. She was a pen in the hand of God. She had a natural talent and found the proper marketplace to sell her wares. And I know we have talented and gifted writers in this community.

In her lifetime, (Rice) said she wrote several million poems. The reason for that is she didn't write her letters in prose but in verse. If there was a death in the family, or a wedding or a newborn baby, her gift was a poem. She wrote 75 books and was one of the world's most prolific poets. Her poetry has been translated into 20 different languages.

We have Longfellow and Whittier. I don't understand why we don't' name one after one of our own writers.

We don't compare. It's not my poem is better than yours. We're like a chorus. Some sing alto, some sing baritone, some sing bass.

First of all, I want to give long overdue respect and recognition to a world-famous, gifted, talented writer. That' s the first thing. I would also like to support and encourage current writers. And I want to create a database at that gathering so that we might come together and network and strengthen each other. And we can rally around a truly accomplished writer.