Meeting was called to order at 10:45 AM by Robert Scanlon, Rotating Chairman. The Opening Prayer was offered by Dawn Brohawn, with by a participatory reading of the Core Values and Code of Ethics.

Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes. Reading of the prior month's minutes was deferred.

Discussion: The standard business agenda was dispensed with so that those attending could introduce themselves and describe their various initiatives to advance the Just Third Way and Capital Homesteading. Due to insufficient time, the focus item for the meeting (a CESJ critique of the Platform of the American Revolutionary Party) was not covered. This critique will need to be rescheduled after a CESJ editorial committee can more thoroughly discuss the platform and offer its suggestions to ARP.

A question was raised as to whether the ARP should present a broad platform that addresses a wide range of cultural issues (including abortion and the definition of marriage) or whether its platform should be focused on an economic agenda centered on the enactment of the Capital Homestead Act. Norm Kurland commented that the "end" of the ARP goes beyond economics, that its purpose is to encourage a world culture based on the sovereignty and empowerment of every person. Economics is only one aspect of a "culture of life" and Capital Homesteading is a means toward that end.

Norman Kurland called for discussion and a vote to give CESJ's support for the name of the new party. Rowland Brohawn commented that he would have preferred that the group have had a more organized process to raise, consider and debate other alternatives, from a marketing perspective. He offered as an example the name "Capital Homestead Party," highlighting the Party's unique expanded ownership agenda. He also felt that the name "American Revolutionary Party" posed some weaknesses from a marketing standpointíƒÏpossible negative public perceptions of the word "revolutionary," PR/press problems with a long name, a "non-message" acronym (ARP), and competing use of the name by other groups. Dawn Brohawn commented that she agreed the process for name selection should have allowed the group to consider more options in terms of a marketing strategy. She thought, however, that the present name captured the broader scope and mission of the party, and would attract those most interested in changing the system.

A discussion followed on the historic and semantic reasons for the choice of the words "revolutionary" and "American Revolutionary." It was also pointed out that the name was already being used publicly, i.e., with the prior dayíƒÙs "Focus on the Fed" event. Norm moved that CESJ support the name of the "American Revolutionary Party" to designate the new party promoting Capital Homesteading and the Just Third Way. Humberto Rodriguez seconded the motion. The motion passed with15 members voting in favor and 1 member opposed.

NEWS/INFORMATION ITEMS

Special Report on "Focus on the Fed" Rally, Federal Reserve Bldg., Friday, April 15, 2005.

On a bright, brisk day, April 15, 2005, the core groups and special guests of the Center for Economic and Social Justice (CESJ) and the American Revolutionary Party (ARP) gathered at the front entrance of the Federal Reserve Building in Washington, D.C. Tax Day will now herald a new message to all Americans who believe in economic freedom and justice for every citizen: "Focus on the Fed."

The purpose of the gathering was two-fold: (1) To launch an annual gathering to focus attention on the Federal Reserve and the impact of its money creation policies on the concentration of capital ownership in the U.S., and (2) to inaugurate the newly formed American Revolutionary Party. Present were Norman Kurland, Rick Osbourne, Rabbi Herzel Kranz, The Hon. Rev. Walter Fauntroy, Dr. Norman Bailey, Dawn Brohawn, Rowland Brohawn, Jack Einkopf, Michael D. Greaney, Kemp Harshman, Ken Krogh, Humberto Rodriguez, Steve Nieman, John Romano, and Rob Woodman.

Some eye-catching and thought-provoking signs and handouts were designed and constructed for the rally by CESJ board member Rowland Brohawn. Participants wore the "Own or Be Owned" tee shirts designed by CESJ intern Chris Carson. The t-shirts attracted the attention of some young people who were attending gatherings in preparation for protests to be held at the World Bank. Kemp Harshman, a CESJ board member and President of the Clarendon Foundation, provided an excellent sound system and photographed the event. The group received a cordial and cooperative reception from the security staff at the Federal Reserve as well as from the D.C. Metropolitan Police.

ARP Co-Founder Rick Osbourne, best known as "the press secretary for virtual presidential candidate Joe Lunch Buckett," opened the proceedings. Before introducing the speakers, Rick commented on the importance of democratizing the free market economy to provide a sound basis for economic and social developmentíƒÏnot just for the United States, but for the world. Rabbi Herzel Kranz of the Silver Spring Jewish Center gave an invocation, preceded with some commentary. He recognized the late Louis Kelso and his writings (starting in 1958) that underpin the work of CESJ promoting the goal of economic justice through broadened capital ownership. His invocation offered thanks for GodíƒÙs bounty and noted the importance of everyone sharing in it in a just and equitable way.

CESJ President and ARP Co-Founder Norman Kurland next gave a short history on the Just Third Way, mentioning the special role that the late Senator Russell Long played, and the significance of the dayíƒÙs gathering at the Federal Reserve. Rev. Walter Fauntroy then took the stage, remarking on the importance of the Homestead Act and its relationship to the Emancipation Proclamation, and how Capital Homesteading was the next necessary step. The Federal Reserve, Rev. Fauntroy observed, is the key to opening up access by every citizen to the means of acquiring and possessing private property. Norman Bailey followed, commenting on the need to end wage slavery by universalizing access to capital ownership, reinforcing Rev. FauntroyíƒÙs point that changing Federal Reserve policy was critical to creating a genuine ownership society. He also thanked the DC government for providing sufficient security in a way that doubled the number of people attending. He observed that the police officers at the event were also wage slaves and deserved the opportunity as citizens to acquire income-producing capital.

CESJ board member Dawn Brohawn read the Declaration of Monetary Justice and called upon CESJíƒÙs Cuban-American-Texan revolutionary Humberto Rodriguez to deliver the signed declaration to Chairman Alan Greenspan. Rick Osbourne then read the letter supporting Capital Homesteading and the ARP that was sent by Joseph Recinos, Executive Director of the Solidarista Council of Central America, on behalf of the 3,000 Solidarista Associations and 480,000 members. Letters of support sent by Fr. Cassian Yuhaus and Prof. MaràÇa Teresa RosàÑn (Buenos Aires, Argentina) were also read aloud.

Participants at the rally were invited to offer their statements. Bob Scanlon, CESJ board member and a member of Beyond Just Faith, declared that the United States is ready for Capital Homesteading, and that the idea is quintessentially American. The biggest problem we face is getting people to understand the idea; it is a new way of thinking. Rob Woodman, President of the Seafarer's Empowerment Association (SEA), gave a brief expression of solidarity with the American Revolutionary Party, followed by remarks by Steve Nieman, Co-Founder of the Ownership Union, on how wages alone are not sufficient for building economic security and independence. Only capital ownership, he noted, has the potential to stop the flight of jobs overseas. All stakeholders should have the opportunity to become shareholders, and ownership should be for the benefit of everyone.

Humberto Rodriguez, President and Founder of the Free People's Foundation, then spoke of his lifelong struggle for freedom, and his belief that Capital Homesteading is the economic foundation of the freedom that he fought for in Cuba and for the U.S. in World War II. He proclaimed that the United States has the right and the duty to help everyone be free. John Romano then expressed his wholehearted support for the work of CESJ and the position of ARP. He added that one of the basic problems was how corporations were financed. He noted that reforms are needed to make it easier to form capital, and to facilitate democratic participation in the process.

All in all, the participants felt that the day was a success. It introduced to the world the American Revolutionary Party and served as the first of what is hoped will become an annual eventíƒÏat least until Capital Homesteading for every citizen is established as national policy. ARP will strive to build public awareness of the key role of the Federal Reserve in creating money and credit to build the productive sector and universalize access to ownership of new growth through Capital Homesteading.

Focus topic for next meeting. No decision was made for the focus topic for the next meeting.

The next Executive Committee Meeting will be held Tuesday, May 17 at 10:30 am. The next Board Meeting will be held Saturday, July 16, 2005, at 9:30 am.

A motion to adjourn was made by Norman Kurland and seconded by Dawn Brohawn. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.

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Special Report on the Afternoon Celebration (1:00-4:00 p.m.), Saturday, April 16, 2005. Attending: Norman Bailey, Dawn Brohawn, Rowland Brohawn, Chris Carson, Jack Einkopf, Harriet Epstein, Jean Fry, Michael D. Greaney, Kemp Harshman, Hank Ickes, Ken Krogh, Tom Kuruvilla, Norman Kurland, Rich Mattson, Fahad Nazer, Steve Nieman, Rick Osbourne, Humberto Rodriguez, John Romano, Connie Sanabria, Bob Scanlon, Janet Scanlon, Rob Woodman. The event at Lakeside Plaza gave people in the CESJ network a chance to meet and talk informally. The food catered by Rocklands Grill received rave reviews. There were many expressions of support and interest in the Just Third Way and its importance for advancing the cause of human freedom and economic and social justice for every person.