I HAVE A DREAM!!
In 1996 the Congress passed a Joint Resolution authorizing the construction of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.
A foundation was was created by the Fraternity
Apla Phi
Alpa to "Build the Dream" raising the estimated $120 million required for this project.
One of the most prestigious sites remaining on the
National Mall was selected for the memorial for Martin Luther King, Jr., adjacent to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. It is the first major memorial along the National Mall to be dedicated to an African-American, and to a non-president.
There are many speakers for today's event but the one so far that has moved me the most was from Dr. King's daughter Rev. Bernice King whom, invoked her father's words and melodic delivery.
She notes that her father was actively involved in a poor people's campaign when he died. She says she believes that he would be supportive now of protests by the poor and the unemployed. "I hear my father say: We must have a radical revolution of values and a reordering of our priorities in this nation. I hear my father say, as we dedicate this monument, we must rapidly begin the shift from a thing-oriented society, to a person-oriented society." As we protest we must conduct ourselves on a higher plain of dignity, "We must pray together children or we will get weary ... Free at last, free at last. Thank God we are free at last," she concluded, to rousing applause and ovations.
She also praises her mother, Coretta Scott King, for her work with King and, after his death, for continuing his legacy. Her work, says Bernice, helped make the "most hated man in America in 1967 to now be one of the most revered and loved men in the world so that we might be able to build a monument in his honor. Thank you, Mama, for your dedication, thank you for your sacrifice."
Rev. Bernice King" says the day "is not just a celebration for African-Americans, but Americans and citizens around the world. No doubt today the world celebrates with us."
I am so very proud and blessed to have been here to witness this grand day!
beezzyb
http://www.mlkmemorial.org/
