2MLK2017HD_Highlights_Transcript

 
 YEAH! THAT MY FOUR LITTLE CHILDREN WILL ONE DAY LIVE IN A NATION WHERE THEY WILL NOT BE JUDGED BY THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN, BUT BY THE CONTENT OF THEIR CHARACTER.  I HAVE A DREAM TODAY.  [APPLAUSE] HELLO.  I'M JONATHAN OVERBY, AND WELCOME TO THE STATE OF WISCONSIN'S 37TH ANNUAL TRIBUTE AND CEREMONY HONORING DR.  MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.  AND TO COMMEMORATE THE LIFE OF DR.  KING, THE TREMPER HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE, THE BROWN SISTERS OF CHICAGO WILL PERFORM.  THE PROGRAM INCLUDES THE PRESENT -ATION OF THE 2017 MLK HERITAGE AWARDS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE.  THE THEME CENTERS ON CELEBRATING DIFFERENCE, THE CELEBRATION OF GREATER UNDERSTANDING, EMPATHY AND GOOD COMMUNITY AMONG PEOPLE.  TODAY'S GUEST SPEAKER IS DR.  VALERIE DANIELS-CARTER, BUSINESS OWNER, AUTHOR, AND PHILANTHROPIST WHO OVER 30 YEARS REALIZED HER DREAM INTO A MULTI-BRAND CORPORATION THAT EMPLOYS OVER 4,000 WORKERS.  WITH THAT, I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE HIGHLIGHTS OF TODAY'S TRIBUTE HONORING DR.  MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.  * [TREMPER HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE PERFORMING] * [TREMPER HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE PERFORMING] * [TREMPER HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE PERFORMING] [APPLAUSE] GOOD AFTERNOON, AND HAPPY MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY.  LET'S GIVE ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO THE TREMPER HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE.  THANK YOU VERY MUCH.  [APPLAUSE] IT'S MY HONOR TO WELCOME ALL OF YOU HERE AND THOSE WATCHING OR TUNING INTO THE 37TH ANNUAL DR.  MARTIN LUTHER KING CELEBRATION.  AND MY DUTIES ARE SHORT.  I GET TO TURN IT OVER TO THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AND DIRECTOR OF THIS ANNUAL CELEBRATION, THE OLDEST STATE-SPONSORED CELEBRATION OF ANY IN THE COUNTRY.  THE TRADITION GOES BACK. 

 LIKE I SAID, THIS IS THE 37TH YEAR AND IT'S MY HONOR TO BRING TO THE STAGE TO SERVE AS OUR EMCEE DR.  JONATHAN OVERBY.  [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU VERY MUCH.  THANK YOU.  THANK YOU.  THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF WISCONSIN'S COMMEMORATION TO DR.  KING'S LIFE AND LEGACY, IN WORDS AND MUSIC.  WE CELEBRATE HIM.  THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TIMES IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.  YOU LOOK OUT AND SEE THE DIVERSITY, THE REPRESENTATION, A LOT OF LEADERS, WHO HAVE TAKEN TIME TO COME HERE TODAY.  WE SET ASIDE OUR DIFFERENCES AND WE CELEBRATE EACH OTHER IN AN EDIFYING WAY THAT PAYS TRIBUTE TO OUR STATE AND TO THE PRINCIPLES THAT DR.  KING LIVED FOR.  I AM SO HAPPY TO HAVE WITH US TODAY FROM CHI-TOWN, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, THE BROWN SISTERS OF CHICAGO, WHO HAVE PERFORMED FOR MANY YEARS.  THEY'VE TOURED EXTENSIVELY.  AND DON'T THEY LOOK GOOD OVER THERE, DON'T THEY? [APPLAUSE] I HOPE YOU GET A CHANCE TO MEET THEM LATER ON, BUT RIGHT NOW LET'S HAVE THEM SING.  PLEASE GIVE A BIG WISCONSIN WELCOME TO THE BROWN SISTERS OF CHICAGO.  [APPLAUSE] * WE SERVE AN AWESOME GOD AND WE'RE JUST HERE TO SING ABOUT THAT TODAY.  HE IS AN AWESOME GOD AND HE IS THE KING OF GLORY.  * * GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD * GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD * HE REIGNS IN MAJESTY * DOMINION AND POWER BELONG TO HIM * * HE IS THE KING OF GLORY * HE IS OUR GOD * THE IMPOSSIBLE, GOD CAN DO * HE CAN DO THE INCREDIBLE * GOD CAN * OH, YEAH, YEAH * GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD * GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD * HE REIGNS IN MAJESTY * AND ALL OF HIS GLORY AND POWER * * DOMINION AND POWER BELONG TO HIM * * HE IS THE KING OF GLORY * HE IS OUR GOD * YEAH * HE IS THE KING OF GLORY * STRONG AND MIGHTY GOD * HE IS THE KING OF GLORY * HE IS GOD * IS AN AWESOME GOD * OOH * GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD * OOH * HE REIGNS IN MAJESTY * DOMINION AND POWER BELONG TO HIM * * HE IS THE KING OF GLORY * HE IS OUR GOD * HE IS THE KING OF GLORY * STRONG AND MIGHTY GOD * HE IS THE KING OF GLORY * HE IS OUR GOD * HE IS THE KING OF GLORY * WE PRAISE YOU * WE MAGNIFY YOUR NAME * HE IS OUR GOD * HE IS THE KING OF GLORY * HE IS OUR GOD * WE PRAISE HIS NAME * WE EXALT YOU * WE EXALT YOU * YOU'RE THE HOLY LAMB OF GOD * WE ADORE YOU, WE COME BEFORE YOU * * WE COME BEFORE YOU * OH, WE BLESS YOUR NAME, GOD * AND WE BLESS YOUR HOLY NAME * WE EXALT YOU * WE EXALT YOUR NAME, LORD * WE EXALT YOU * BECAUSE YOU'RE THE HOLY LAMB OF GOD * * YOU'RE THE HOLY LAMB OF GOD * WE EXALT YOU * AND WE COME BEFORE YOUR THRONE * * WE COME BEFORE YOU * OH, BLESS YOUR NAME, BLESS YOUR NAME, GOD * * AND WE BLESS YOUR HOLY NAME * WE GIVE YOU GLORY, WE GIVE YOU HONOR, GOD, WE BLESS YOUR NAME * * AND WE BLESS YOUR HOLY NAME * WE BLESS YOUR NAME, GOD * AND WE BLESS YOUR HOLY NAME * GOD, OH, GOD * AND WE BLESS YOUR HOLY NAME * TO THEE, OUR LORD * GLORY BE TO OUR LORD * OH, LORD HALLELUJAH.  GLORY BE TO GOD.  [APPLAUSE] GLORY BE TO GOD. 

 HALLELUJAH! [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] WELL, RETURNING THIS YEAR TO THE MLK CELEBRATION IS THE TREMPER HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE FROM KENOSHA, WISCONSIN.  THE ENSEMBLE IS MADE UP OF 43 OF THE TOP WIND AND PERCUSSIONISTS IN GRADES 10-12 AND HAVING CONSISTENTLY EARNED DIVISION ONE RATINGS AT THE WISCONSIN SCHOOL MUSIC ASSOCIATION COMPETITION.  HERE THEY ARE ONCE AGAIN, CONDUCTED BY DR.  KATHRYN RIPLEY, THE TREMPER HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE.  * * [TREMPER HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE PERFORMING] * [TREMPER HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE PERFORMING] [APPLAUSE] KATHRYN RIPLEY CONDUCTING THE TREMPER HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE.  JOURNEY HOUSE HELPS MOVE RESIDENTS OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN'S CLARKE STREET NEIGHBORHOOD OUT OF POVERTY BY PROVIDING ADULT EDUCATION, WORK FORCE READINESS, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS.  FOR MORE THAN 45 YEARS, JOURNEY HOUSE PROGRAMS HAVE DEVELOPED TOP TALENT THROUGH EDUCATION, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND LIFE SKILLS DESIGNED TO REDUCE UNEMPLOYMENT AND CRIME, TO STRENGTHEN FAMILIES, TO REVITALIZE NEIGHBORHOODS.  JOURNEY HOUSE WORKS WITH MORE THAN 7,000 PEOPLE ANNUALLY.  THE STATE OF WISCONSIN IS INDEED PLEASED TO PRESENT TO JOURNEY HOUSE THE 2017 MLK HERITAGE AWARD FOR SERVICE.  [APPLAUSE] I AM SO GRATEFUL AND HONORED TO BE HERE TODAY AND TO RECEIVE THIS ON BEHALF OF JOURNEY HOUSE AND THE 7,000 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WE SERVE EVERY YEAR.  AT JOURNEY HOUSE, OUR MOTTO IS "ONE DREAM, ONE TEAM. " OUR FORMULA FOR SUCCESS IN DEVELOPING A THRIVING AND VIBRANT COMMUNITY AND YOUNG PEOPLE INCLUDE THREE INGREDIENTS: EFFORT PLUS TIME PLUS BELIEF.  EFFORT IS THAT HARD WORK, AND DR.  MARTIN LUTHER KING HAD UNBELIEVABLE HARD WORK IN FRONT OF HIM.  HE NEVER GAVE UP DESPITE PAIN AND ADVERSITY.  IF IT WERE EASY, THEN EVERYONE WOULD BE DOING IT.  SO IT TAKES HARD WORK.  IT TAKES TIME, PATIENCE.  YOU KNOW, IN AN ERA OF INSTANT GRATIFICATION OUR YOUNG PEOPLE THINK THINGS SHOULD COME EASY.  BUT IT TAKES A LONG TIME FOR CHANGE.  AND THEN MOST IMPORTANTLY, BELIEF. 

 DR.  MARTIN LUTHER KING HAD UNWAVERING FAITH AND BELIEF.  AND WITH THOSE THREE INGREDIENTS, EFFORT, TIME PLUS BELIEF, YOU CAN MAKE THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE.  AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING IN MILWAUKEE.  JOURNEY HOUSE BELIEVES THAT INFINITE POSSIBILITIES EXIST WHEN WE GATHER ALL OUR PARTNERS, AND THAT'S HOW WE DO IT IN MILWAUKEE, PARTNERSHIPS, WHO ARE CREATIVE, INSPIRED, COMMITTED, ENGAGED, EMPOWERED LEADERS, WHO GO BEYOND OUR OWN PERSONAL LIMITATIONS, BECAUSE IT'S NOT ABOUT US, AND COMMIT TO COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS.  IN 2017, I ENCOURAGE EACH OF YOU WHEN YOU REFLECT ON YOUR JOURNEY AHEAD TO BE LIKE DR.  MARTIN LUTHER KING AND GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND FORM OR JOIN A TEAM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A GREATER GOOD.  ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.  DR.  MARTIN KING MADE AN ENORMOUS DIFFERENCE.  I KNOW YOU CAN, TOO.  BE THE DIFFERENCE.  BE 100% COMMITTED TO WHATEVER IT IS THAT YOU COMMIT TO.  BE KIND, BE PHENOMENAL, BELIEVE.  THANK YOU SO MUCH.  IT'S AN HONOR TO REPRESENT MILWAUKEE AND THIS STATE.  THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.  THANK YOU, DR.  OVERBY.  [APPLAUSE] I WANT SOME OF HER ENERGY.  I JUST GOT TO SAY IT. 

 I DON'T KNOW.  GIVE HER ANOTHER HAND PLEASE.  WONDERFUL WORK SHE'S DOING AT JOURNEY HOUSE.  [APPLAUSE] OUR NEXT AWARD GOES TO RONALD MORRIS, ADMISSIONS ADVISOR FOR MULTICULTURAL RECRUITMENT AND DOES SO AT UW-GREEN BAY.  RONALD INSPIRES STUDENTS OF COLOR TO PURSUE THEIR DREAMS THROUGH A COLLEGE EDUCATION.  HIS EFFORTS INCLUDE CAPTURING THE ATTENTION OF MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS TO HELP THEM THINK ABOUT THEIR FUTURE, THEIR EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER GOALS EARLY ON.  RON MORRIS ALSO ORGANIZES WHAT'S KNOWN AS "OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS" AS UW-GREEN BAY FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OF COLOR SO THEY FEEL WELCOMED ON CAMPUS AND CAN EXPERIENCE THE FULL LIFE OF WHAT STUDENTS REALLY CAN ACHIEVE AND ENJOY IN THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE.  IT IS WELL-KNOWN AROUND THE CAMPUS THAT MR.  MORRIS IS DEDICATED TO STUDENTS OF COLOR.  THEY CAN CALL ON HIM ALL THE TIME, NOT ONLY TO ADVISE THEM, BUT HE GOES THE DISTANCE TO LOOK OUT FOR THEM AS THEY NAVIGATE THEIR COLLEGE LIFE.  THE STATE OF WISCONSIN IS PLEASED TO PRESENT TO RONALD MORRIS THE 2017 MLK HERITAGE AWARD.  RONALD? [APPLAUSE] LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, AS A YOUNG, YOUNG BOY GROWING UP IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, I, LIKE MANY, LIKED TO PLAY.  THESE GAMES INCLUDED FOUR SQUARE, HOP SCOTCH, RED MAYBE ONE OR TWO OF YOU WILL REMEMBER.  IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA DURING THIS ERA, WHEN YOUNG LADIES AND YOUNG MEN GREETED OUR ELDERS AS SIR AND MA'AM AND DURING A TIME WHEN, GET THIS, YOUNG GIRLS AND WOMEN HAD JUST RECENTLY WON THE RIGHT TO WEAR PANTS IN SCHOOL.  ON THE BLOCK, I WITNESSED SOMETHING LIFE-CHANGING.  ON THE BLOCK, AS I PLAYED WITH OTHER CHILDREN, THE OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT CAME IN FORCE AND ASKED US TO BACK UP, ONE HOUSE, TWO HOUSE, THREE HOUSES BACK.  THEY WERE RESPONDING TO A CALL OF A MIDDLE-AGED YOUNG BLACK MAN WHO WAS HAVING EMOTIONAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS.  THEY POSITIONED THEMSELVES ACROSS THE STREET, IN BUSHES, ON ROOFS, CUT THE POWER AND THE TELEPHONE LINES OF THAT NEIGHBORHOOD AND BEGAN THEIR OPERATION.  WITH CURIOSITY AND WIDE-EYED WONDER, I WATCHED, IN THE COMPANY OF OTHER CHILDREN, ADULTS AND OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AS EVENTUALLY THIS YOUNG MAN COMPLIED WITH THE WISHES AND HE DID INDEED COME TO THE THRESHOLD OF THE DOOR, HANDS HELD EMPTY AND HIGH, STRIPPED TO THE WAIST, AS THEY ASKED HIM TO DO DURING THAT ERA.  AND AS THIS MAN CROSSED THE THRESHOLD, THEY OPENED FIRE.  THAT'S THE COLOR OF WHAT I SAW. 

 AND I LIVED ON THE GOOD SIDE OF TOWN.  I CHOSE ANOTHER WAY OF RESISTANCE, AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT EDUCATION IS A POWERFUL MECHANISM, BECAUSE YOU CAN DO THINGS THAT I CAN'T DO.  SO I ENCOURAGE YOU, YOUNG, OLD AND OTHERS, TO PLEASE PURSUE YOUR DREAMS, MEET THE CHALLENGES OF EDUCATION AND CHANGE THIS WORLD IN A WAY THAT I NEVER CAN.  HAVE A FANTASTIC EVENING, AND THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING RON MORRIS.  [APPLAUSE] I SEE THE BROWN SISTERS, YOU'RE BACK OVER THERE, SO I'M ASSUMING YOU'RE GOING TO SING A SONG? ALL RIGHT.  GIVE THEM ANOTHER HAND, THE BROWN SISTERS OF CHICAGO.  [APPLAUSE] NOW, PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER LIKE THIS.  [PEOPLE CLAPPING] * COME ON.  PUT YOUR HANDS, TOGETHER.  EVERYBODY.  ANYBODY WANT TO HAVE A LITTLE FUN RIGHT NOW? JUST A FEW MOMENTS.  LET'S DO IT TOGETHER.  HERE WE GO.  * EVERYBODY SAY HAIL, JESUS, YOU'RE MY KING.  * YOUR LIFE HAS BEEN CONCEIVED * I WILL PRAISE YOU ALL MY DAYS * * BECAUSE YOU'RE PERFECT IN ALL YOUR WAYS * * HAIL, JESUS, YOU'RE MY LORD * I WILL OBEY YOUR WORD * BECAUSE I WANT TO SEE YOUR KINGDOM COME * * NOT MY WILL, BUT YOURS BE DONE * * OH, GLORY, GLORY, TO THE LAMB * * YOU WILL TAKE US INTO THE LAND * * WE WILL CONQUER IN YOUR THAT * AND PROCLAIM THAT JESUS REIGNS * * OH, HAIL, HAIL, LION OF JUDAH * * HOW WONDERFUL YOU ARE * OH, YEAH, HAIL, HAIL, LION OF JUDAH * * HOW WONDERFUL YOU ARE * HAIL, JESUS, YOU'RE MY KING * HAIL, JESUS, YOU'RE MY KING * YOUR LIFE BRINGS ME TO SING * I WILL PRAISE YOU ALL MY DAYS * * BECAUSE YOU'RE PERFECT IN ALL YOUR WAYS * * OH, GLORY, GLORY TO THE LAMB * GLORY, GLORY TO THE LAMB * YOU WILL TAKE US INTO THE LAND * * WE WILL CONQUER IN YOUR NAME * AND PROCLAIM THAT JESUS REIGNS * * OH, HAIL, HAIL, LION OF JUDAH * * HOW WONDERFUL YOU ARE * OH, YEAH, HAIL, HAIL, LION OF JUDAH * * HAIL, HAIL, LION OF JUDAH * HOW WONDERFUL YOU ARE * HOW POWERFUL YOU ARE * HOW WONDERFUL YOU ARE * HOW WONDERFUL YOU ARE * HOW POWERFUL YOU ARE * HOW POWERFUL YOU ARE * HOW WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL * * HOW POWERFUL YOU ARE * HOW POWERFUL YOU ARE * HOW WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL * * YES, YOU ARE, YES, YOU ARE, YES, YOU ARE * * HOW WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL.  * YES, YOU ARE, YES, YOU ARE * HOW WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL * * YES, YOU ARE, YES, YOU ARE * HOW WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL * * OH, YES, YOU ARE, YES, YOU ARE, YES, YOU ARE * * GIVE THE PRAISE, GOT TO GIVE IT UP * * COME ON * GIVE THE PRAISE, GIVE IT UP, COME ON * * GIVE HIM THE PRAISE, GOT TO GIVE IT UP, COME ON * * GIVE HIM THE PRAISE, GOT TO GIVE IT UP, COME ON * * I WONDER IF YOU COULD SAY SOMETHING WITH US.  VERY SIMPLE.  JUST SAY THIS.  SAY HAIL TO THE KING.  * HAIL TO THE KING * SAY HAIL TO THE KING SAY HAIL TO THE KING * * HAIL TO THE KING * I SAY HAIL TO THE KING * HAIL TO THE KING COME ON, LADIES, LET'S GO.  * YOU'RE GONNA SHOUT HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH! WHOO! [APPLAUSE] AND NOW IT IS MY HONOR TO INTRODUCE TO YOU OUR GUEST SPEAKER TODAY, THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF V&J FOODS HOLDING COMPANIES INCORPORATED, A MULTI-BRAND, MULTI-STATE OPERATION, THE LARGEST FRANCHISE ORGANIZATION IN THE NATION. 

 SHE'S ALSO A LIFE COACH, PHILANTHROPIST AND ON THE CAMPUS OF HER MILWAUKEE-BASED CHURCH, SHE AND HER FAMILY OPENED, GET THIS, A 160,000 SQUARE FOOT CENTER THAT HOUSES A BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, FAMILY SERVICE CENTER, TWO SCHOOLS K-12, LOAN CENTER, MEDICAL FACILITY AND A COMMUNITY MEETINGS FACILITY, BETTER KNOWN AS THE MOTHER KATHRYN DANIELS YOUTH CENTER.  WHOO! MY GOODNESS.  [APPLAUSE] AND SHE ALSO OPENED NOT ONE, NOT TWO, BUT THREE ORPHANAGES IN KENYA AND GHANA.  SHE IS-- AND I SAY THIS WITH ALL SINCERITY-- A TRUE MODEL, STEEPED IN DEEP FAITH, AND SHE'S COMMITTED TO UNYIELDING HARD WORK.  PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING DR.  VALERIE DANIELS-CARTER.  [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU, DR.  OVERBY, AND TO OUR WONDERFUL GOVERNOR AND CAN I JUST SAY TO ALL OF THE CONSTITUENTS OF THE DAIS AND TO THIS AUGUST BODY OF INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE COME TO CELEBRATE A WONDERFUL DAY.  GOOD AFTERNOON TO YOU.  GOOD AFTERNOON.  OH, YOU GUYS, THAT WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH.  GOOD AFTERNOON.  GOOD AFTERNOON! MUCH BETTER.  AND I ACTUALLY HAVE TO START MY PRESENTATION OFF TODAY WITH SAYING GO, PACKERS, GO! [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] WE ONLY HAVE TWO MORE GAMES TO GO, AND I'M SURE WE'LL TAKE CARE OF THOSE TWO AS WELL.  I AM SO HONORED AND HUMBLED TO BE WITH YOU ON TODAY AND CELEBRATE THIS WONDERFUL DAY, THE 37TH ANNUAL TRIBUTE HONORING DR.  MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. , WHO WAS A MINISTER, AN ACTIVIST, ONE WHO LED CIVIL RIGHTS THROUGH A MOVEMENT CALLED NONVIOLENCE.  NONVIOLENCE WAS HIS GUIDING PRINCIPLES.  HE STARTED IN THE 1950s, WHICH WE ALL KNOW WAS NOT THE GREATEST TIME IN AMERICA TO GET UP AND TO MAKE A DECLARATION FOR INDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM.  BUT HE DID IT BECAUSE HE UNDERSTOOD WHO HE WAS, WHAT HE HAD BEEN CALLED TO DO AND WHY HE HAD TO DO IT.  HE LEFT HERE IN 1968, PREMATURELY, BECAUSE OF WHAT HE BELIEVED IN. 

 YOUR TOPIC FOR TODAY'S SESSION IS "THE JOURNEY AHEAD.  " ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT THINGS FOR A PERSON TO UNDERSTAND IS THEIR PURPOSE, HOW TO BE EFFECTIVE, SUCCESSFUL AND SUSTAINABLE, HOW TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES DESPITE WHAT MAY BE IN FRONT OF YOU.  THERE ARE CERTAIN QUESTIONS YOU HAVE TO PROACTIVELY AND HONESTLY ASK YOURSELF IF YOU INDEED ARE GOING TO BE A BEACON OF CHANGE.  I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY BECAUSE I REPRESENT THE FUTURE THAT DR.  KING COULD NOT SEE, BUT HE FOUGHT FOR.  THROUGH MANY DANGERS, TOILS AND SNARES, I HAVE ALREADY COME.  LATER TODAY I'LL BE DOING AN AUTOGRAPH SIGNING OF A BOOK THAT I WROTE, TALKS ABOUT MY LIFE JOURNEY AS A BUSINESSWOMAN.  I KNOW YOU SEE ME NOW, AND I DON'T LOOK TOO BAD.  [LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE] BUT I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT I DON'T LOOK LIKE WHAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH.  AND I KNOW MANY OF YOU CAN ATTEST TO THE FACT THAT YOU DON'T LOOK LIKE WHAT YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH.  YOU SIT IN HERE TODAY, AND YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL, YOU HAVE SMILES ON YOUR FACE.  WELL, THERE WERE MANY TIMES THAT YOU HAD TO ENDURE HARDNESS IN ORDER TO GET TO THE NEXT LEVEL.  FIRST QUESTION I HAVE TO ASK MYSELF IS "WHO AM I AND WHAT DO I REALLY WANT TO BECOME?" I'VE BEEN A BUSINESSWOMAN IN WISCONSIN FOR 35 YEARS, THE LARGEST FEMALE FRANCHISE OWNER IN THE WORLD.  [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] SAY WHAT BRANDS? YOU KNOW, I HAVE TO PROMOTE MY OWN.  BURGER KING, PIZZA HUT, AUNTIE ANN'S PRETZELS, DJ CAFE.  BUT I DID NOT GET THERE OVERNIGHT.  AS A MATTER OF FACT, WHEN I APPLIED TO BURGER KING IN 1982, THEY LOST MY APPLICATION.  I CALLED THEM BACK.  SAID WHERE IS MY APPLICATION? THEY SAID, WE NEVER GOT IT.  I SAID, NO PROBLEM, I KNOW HOW TO FILL ANOTHER ONE OUT.  I FILLED OUT MY SECOND APPLICATION, SENT IT IN, HAD A SIGNATURE THAT CAME BACK TO ME THAT TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD RECEIVED IT. 

 I CALLED THEM.  SAME RESPONSE.  WE DON'T HAVE YOUR APPLICATION.  SAYS NOT A PROBLEM, I KNOW HOW TO FILL IT OUT AGAIN.  SO THE THIRD TIME I FILLED OUT AN APPLICATION, SENT IT IN, GOT MY SIGNATURE THAT THEY HAD RECEIVED IT, CALLED THEM UP, GOT THE SAME RESPONSE.  THEY SAID, WE DON'T HAVE YOUR APPLICATION.  I SAID, WELL, HOLD ON.  TELL ME WHO IS MARY JANE RUTKOWSKI THAT SIGNED FOR THIS PACKAGE, THE DATE, THE TIME.  DOES SHE WORK AT BURGER KING? YOU HAVE TO HAVE PERSEVERANCE.  AFTER THEY FOUND MARY JANE, THEY FOUND MY APPLICATION.  BUT MY APPLICATION DID NOT GET PROCESSED JUST BECAUSE THEY FOUND MARY JANE.  MY APPLICATION SAT ON THE DESK OF THE VP OF FRANCHISES.  I CALLED EVERY WEEK.  ARE YOU GOING TO PROCESS MY APPLICATION? I CALLED THEM UNTIL THEY GOT TIRED OF ME CALLING THEM, AND THEY SET UP AN INTERVIEW FOR ME AND TOLD ME TO GO TO MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA BECAUSE AT THE TIME PILLSBURY OWNED BURGER KING, AND I WOULD HAVE AN INTERVIEW.  I PREPARED MYSELF, WENT TO MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.  MY APPOINTMENT WAS AT 8:30 IN THE MORNING, SO I GOT THERE AT 8:00.  WHEN I GOT THERE, I WENT TO THE OFFICE THAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO GO TO.  NOBODY WAS THERE.  I WAITED ON THE OUTSIDE FOR SOMEBODY TO SHOW UP.  EVENTUALLY, ABOUT 8:25 OR SO, THE SECRETARY CAME IN AND UNLOCKED THE DOOR.  I LOOKED AT HER. 

 I SAID, MY NAME IS VALERIE DANIELS-CARTER, AND I'M HERE FOR AN INTERVIEW.  SHE SAID TO ME, OH, YEAH, I REMEMBER YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE HERE TODAY.  WHY DON'T YOU HAVE A SEAT IN THE FOYER.  I SAT DOWN IN THE FOYER.  TALKING ABOUT 1982, NOT 1950.  1982.  AND AS I SAT IN THAT FOYER, I BEGAN TO PONDER AND THINK ABOUT WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT WOULD CONVINCE SOMEONE THAT DID NOT LOOK LIKE ME THAT I COULD DO WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE.  HOW COULD I CONVINCE THIS MAN, THIS MAN, THAT GREATNESS IS PURPOSEFUL? HE WALKED IN, WALKED BY ME, DID NOT SPEAK.  I SAT THERE.  NOON CAME.  I SAT THERE.  HE WALKED OUT FOR LUNCH, DID NOT SPEAK.  I SAT THERE.  THIS WAS A FRIDAY EVENING.  AND ABOUT 4:30, 5:00 THAT EVENING HE WALKED OUT OF HIS OFFICE AND HE SAYS, ARE YOU THE YOUNG LADY THAT I'M SUPPOSED TO INTERVIEW? AND I SAID, I AM.  HE SAYS, WELL, I CAN'T INTERVIEW YOU TODAY BECAUSE ME AND SOME OF THE BOYS ARE GOING HUNTING.  I SAYS, YOU'RE GOING HUNTING? HE SAYS, YES.  I SAID, CAN I GO HUNTING WITH YOU? [LAUGHTER] HE SAID TO ME, IN AMAZEMENT AND SHOCK, YES.  SO HE PICKED UP HIS BAG AND STARTED WALKING TOWARDS HIS TRUCK.  I DIDN'T HAVE MY BAG BECAUSE IT WAS BACK AT THE HOTEL, SO I JUST STARTED WALKING.  I WALKED TOWARDS HIS TRUCK. 

 I SAT IN THE BACK SEAT.  THEY DROVE ME TO A PLACE CALLED MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA.  SOME OF YOU ALL KNOW ABOUT MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA? I'M SITTING THERE, NIGHT HAS ALREADY FALLEN, I'M LOOKING AROUND, ONE BLACK FEMALE IN A CABIN WITH 14 WHITE MALES.  THIS AIN'T A GOOD STORY.  SO I TELL THEM, I SAID, LOOK, I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO THE HOTEL, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE I'M GETTING AN INTERVIEW TODAY, BUT I'LL BE BACK.  THEY SAID, YOU'LL NEVER GET BACK BECAUSE OF A SNOWSTORM AND BECAUSE OF WHERE YOU ARE.  SO I PICK UP THE PHONE.  I DIAL 911.  I SAID, WE'VE GOT AN EMERGENCY.  CAN YOU SEE WHERE I AM? THEY SAID, YES, WE CAN SEE WHERE YOU ARE.  I SAID, YOU HAVE TO COME RIGHT NOW.  SO THEY CAME, THEY GOT ME, THEY TOOK ME BACK TO THE HOTEL.  BUT ON MY WAY BACK TO THE HOTEL, I WROTE DOWN EVERY TURN, BECAUSE I KNEW I WAS GOING BACK.  THAT'S WHAT YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND.  IT IS NOT ABOUT WHO YOU ARE.  IT IS NOT ABOUT WHERE YOU'RE GOING.  IT'S ABOUT YOUR PERSEVERANCE TO GET TO WHERE YOU'RE GOING AND NOT ALLOW ANYTHING OR ANYBODY -- [APPLAUSE] WELL, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BUY THE BOOK, BECAUSE I GOT TO CLOSE NOW.  GREATNESS IS PURPOSEFUL SERVANTHOOD, WITH INTEGRITY THAT PURSUES AFTER EXCELLENCE WITHOUT COMPROMISE.  IT IGNITES THE INWARD QUALITIES OF A BELIEVER AND CAUSES THEM TO RADIATE FROM THE INSIDE OUT.  IT IS WHO YOU ARE WHEN YOU HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED AND ACCEPTED YOUR CORE SPIRITUAL ATTRIBUTES AND ARE A LIVING TESTIMONY TO DIVINE PURPOSE.  IT'S NOT BASED ON HOW STRONG OR HOW RICH OR EVEN HOW SKILLED YOU MAY BE, BUT IT IS PREDICATED ON HOW WELL YOU NAVIGATE IN YOUR DIVINE ASSIGNMENT. 

 IT REQUIRES YOU TO BE HONEST.  IT REQUIRES YOU TO RECOGNIZE YOUR DISPOSITION WHILE HAVING THE INTELLIGENCE TO MANAGE BETWEEN YOUR SEASONS OF TRIALS AND TIMES OF VICTORY.  GREATNESS IS NOT BLIND.  IT RECOGNIZES THE FORCES THAT TRY TO DESTROY IT.  BUT IT DOES NOT GIVE IN TO THOSE PRESSURES.  GREATNESS AND EXCELLENCE ARE FORCES THAT WE HAVE TO CONTEND WITH IF WE'RE GOING TO SEIZE AND TAKE WISCONSIN TO THE NEXT LEVEL.  [APPLAUSE] I CHALLENGE YOU TODAY TO LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING TILL EARTH AND HEAVEN RINGS, RINGS WITH THE HARMONY.  [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT.  EACH YEAR, FOLKS, YOU KNOW WE INVITE A STUDENT TO RECITE AN EXCERPT FROM DR.  KING'S FAMOUS 1963 SPEECH "I HAVE A DREAM. " THIS YEAR WE'VE INVITED AN ALUM, JADON NATHANAEL COBERT.  HE'S NOW IN THE 6TH GRADE.  HE IS ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN MUSIC AND HE'S A MEMBER OF THE BAND AND OFTEN SINGS AND PLAYS HIS GUITAR FOR MASS.  JADON ALSO SINGS WITH THE MADISON YOUTH CHOIR.  HE HAS GOTTEN TALLER.  HE NO LONGER NEEDS THAT BOX.  AND HIS VOICE I THINK HAS GOTTEN A LITTLE DEEPER.  SO WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE HIM HERE ONCE AGAIN.  JADON NATHANAEL COBERT.  JADON? [APPLAUSE] AND EVEN SO, WE FACE THE DIFFICULTIES OF TODAY AND TOMORROW, I STILL HAVE A DREAM.  IT'S AS DEEPLY ROOTED IN THE AMERICAN DREAM. 

 I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY THIS NATION WILL RISE UP AND LIVE OUT THE TRUE MEANING OF ITS CREED: "WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT: THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL. " I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY ON THE RED HILLS OF GEORGIA THE SONS OF FORMER SLAVES AND THE SONS OF FORMER SLAVE OWNERS WILL BE ABLE TO SIT DOWN TOGETHER AT THE TABLE OF BROTHERHOOD.  I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY EVEN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, A STATE SWELTERING WITH THE HEAT OF INJUSTICE, SWELTERING WITH THE HEAT OF OPPRESSION, WILL BE TRANSFORMED INTO AN OASIS OF FREEDOM AND JUSTICE.  I HAVE A DREAM THAT MY FOUR LITTLE CHILDREN WILL ONE DAY LIVE IN A NATION WHERE THEY WILL NOT BE JUDGED BY THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN BUT BY THE CONTENT OF THEIR CHARACTER.  I HAVE A DREAM TODAY.  I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY, DOWN IN ALABAMA, WITH ITS VICIOUS RACISTS, WITH ITS GOVERNOR HAVING HIS LIPS DRIPPING WITH THE WORDS OF INTERPOSITION AND NULLIFICATION; ONE DAY RIGHT THERE IN ALABAMA, LITTLE BLACK BOYS AND BLACK GIRLS WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN HANDS WITH LITTLE WHITE BOYS AND WHITE GIRLS AS SISTERS AND BROTHERS.  I HAVE A DREAM TODAY.  I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY EVERY VALLEY SHALL BE EXALTED, AND EVERY HILL AND MOUNTAIN SHALL BE MADE LOW, THE ROUGH PLACES WILL BE MADE PLAIN, AND THE CROOKED PLACES WILL BE MADE STRAIGHT, AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHALL BE REVEALED, AND ALL THE FLESH SHALL SEE IT TOGETHER.  THIS IS OUR HOPE, AND THIS IS THE FAITH THAT I GO BACK TO THE SOUTH WITH.  WITH THIS FAITH WE WILL BE ABLE TO HEW OUT OF THE MOUNTAIN OF DESPAIR A STONE OF HOPE.  WITH THIS FAITH WE WILL BE ABLE TO TRANSFORM THE JANGLING DISCORDS OF OUR NATION INTO A BEAUTIFUL SYMPHONY OF BROTHERHOOD.  WITH THIS FAITH WE WILL BE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER, TO PRAY TOGETHER, TO STRUGGLE TOGETHER, TO GO TO JAIL TOGETHER, TO STAND UP FOR FREEDOM TOGETHER, KNOWING THAT WE WILL BE FREE ONE DAY.  AND THIS WILL BE THE DAY WHEN ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN WILL BE ABLE TO SING WITH A NEW MEANING, "MY COUNTRY, 'TIS OF THEE, SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY, OF THEE I SING.  LAND WHERE MY FATHERS DIED, LAND OF THE PILGRIM'S PRIDE, FROM EVERY MOUNTAINSIDE, LET FREEDOM RING. " AND IF AMERICA IS TO BE A GREAT NATION THIS MUST BECOME TRUE.  AND SO LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE PRODIGIOUS HILLTOPS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.  LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE MIGHTY MOUNTAINS OF NEW YORK.  LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE HEIGHTENING ALLEGHENIES OF PENNSYLVANIA! LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE SNOWCAPPED ROCKIES OF COLORADO! LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE CURVACEOUS SLOPES OF CALIFORNIA! BUT NOT ONLY THAT; LET FREEDOM RING FROM STONE MOUNTAIN OF GEORGIA! LET FREEDOM RING FROM LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN OF TENNESSEE! LET FREEDOM RING FROM EVERY HILL AND MOLEHILL OF MISSISSIPPI.  FROM EVERY MOUNTAINSIDE, LET FREEDOM RING.  AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS, WHEN WE ALLOW FREEDOM TO RING, WHEN WE LET IT RING FROM EVERY VILLAGE AND EVERY HAMLET, FROM EVERY STATE AND EVERY CITY, WE'LL BE ABLE TO SPEED UP THAT DAY WHEN ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN, BLACK MEN AND WHITE MEN, JEWS, GENTILES, PROTESTANTS AND CATHOLICS WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN HANDS AND SING IN THE WORDS OF THE OLD NEGRO SPIRITUAL.  FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST, THANK GOD ALMIGHTY WE ARE FREE AT LAST! [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] JADON, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 

 AND WITH THAT WE CONCLUDE OUR PROGRAM TODAY.  BUT BEFORE WE GO, WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR CELEBRATING DR.  KING'S LIFE AND LEGACY WITH THE 37TH ANNUAL TRIBUTE AND CEREMONY HONORING HIM AND HIS WORK.  WITH THAT, ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER, I'M JONATHAN OVERBY.  THANK YOU AND MAY YOUR WEEK BE FILLED WITH PEACE AND HARMONY.  GOOD DAY.  [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] *