Peter H. Bell: “I rise as this week on March 14 in my hometown of St. Louis we are celebrating 314 Day. This day is much more than just…”

“I rise as this week on March 14 in my hometown of St. Louis we are celebrating 314 Day. This day is much more than just our area code or an excuse to celebrate our hometown sports teams: the Cardinals, the Blues, St. Louis City Soccer Club, the Battlehawks. I am also going to acknowledge Mathews-Dickey and a huge shout-out to the St. Louis Stars, our Negro league baseball team back in the day, and St. Louis' own James ``Cool Papa'' Bell. God rest his soul. It is not just about what high school you attended, which is also a St. Louis thing, or it is not just about the beer, which we are known to make a lot of. It is not about the gooey butter cakes. It is not just about Imo's Pizza, Vess soda, and Ted Drewes. God rest his soul. It is not about the fact that many St. Louisans sincerely believe that our Chinese food is better than Chinese food in China. I won't even quiz you on what a chicken St. Paul with cheese is, which is also a St. Louis thing. It is about recognizing and renewing the powerful bonds and resilience that define our community. St. Louis is a city of complexity, a rich history, and deep contrasts. From neighborhoods in Webster Groves, Normandy, and the 24-1 communities to historic neighborhoods in North City and Ferguson and Florissant, from Saint Ann to Soulard and South City, our city encapsulates both the beauty and the struggle of America.…”