[MUSIC] FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS PBS
WISCONSIN ORIGINAL PRODUCTION. [MUSIC]
>> I HAVE A DREAM. THAT MY FOUR LITTLE CHILDREN
WILL ONE DAY LIVE IN A NATION WHERE THEY WILL NOT BE JUDGED BY
COLO OF THEIR SKIN BUT CONTENT OF THEIR CHARACTER.
I HAVE A DREAM TODAY
>> HELLO, I AM JONATHAN OVERBY.
WELCOME TO WISCONSIN'S 42ND ANNUAL TRIBUTE AND CEREMONY,
HONORING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
COMING UP, HIGHLIGHTS FROM TODAY'S EVENT RECORDED HERE IN
THE STATE CAPITOL ROTUNDA. LET JUSTICE RULE.
IS THE THEME FOR TODAY'S CELEBRATION.
AURIE A. CARTER TON, PRESIDENT OF APPLE
WISCONSIN'S LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY. IN ADDITION WE'LL HAVE MUSIC TO
CELEBRATE KING'S LIFE AND WORDS TO REFLECT ON HIS LEGACY.
I HOPE YOU ENJOY TODAY'S TRIBUTE AND CEREMONY HONORING DR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING JR. >> GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYBODY.
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME YOU TO THE
WELCOME TO WISCONSIN'S 42ND ANNUAL TRIBUTE
REND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, AND CEREMONY HONORING THE
JR. - [APPLAUSE]
BEFORE WE GET STARTED. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK DR. OVERBY
AND ENTIRE 2023 MLK GROUP. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK TODAY'S
OUTSTANDING MUSIC PERFORMER IN MAKES TODAY'S CEREMONY MEMORABLE
FOR FOLKS HERE TODAY AND THOSE WATCHING ACROSS THE STATE.
AND AS A NATION'S OLDEST OFFICIAL STATE CELEBRATION
HONORING DR. KING THIS IS ONE WE ARE PROUD TO CONTINUE.
[APPLAUSE] THE THEME OF THIS YEAR'S
CEREMONY LET JUSTICE RULE REMINDS US OF DR. KING'S DREAM
AND VISION FOR OUR COUNTRY AND ENCOURAGES US TO WORK TO BRIDGE
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL GAPS THAT DIVIDE US ALL WHILE CONTINUING
OUR WORK TO OUR JUST FUTURE FOR OUR STATE.
THERE IS YEARS HAVE
BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR ALL OF US. WE RECOGNIZE MANY OF THE
INJUSTICES AND INEQUITIES DR. KING WORKED TO ADDRESS
NEVERTHELESS REMAIN DEEPLY ENTRENCHED IN OUR CURRENT
SOCIETY AND INSTITUTIONS. BUT
TIRELESSLY FOR JUSTICE, INCLUSION AND EQUAL RIGHTS OF
ALL PEOPLE, TODAY WE AFFIRM OURSELVES TO THAT COMMITMENT
BOTH AS INDIVIDUALS AND A STATE. YOU KNOW
KING'S LIFE MEMBERED AND LASTING LEGACY, RE
THERE IS STILL SO MUCH WORK LEFT TO BE DONE.
AS WISCONSINITES WE MUST WORK TO BUILD THE FUTURE FOR OUR STATE,
MORE JUST, MORE EQUITABLE AND MORE INCLUSIVE AND EVERY
WISCONSINITE AS RESOURCES, SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES TO
SUCCEED. ALL OF US COMMITTED TO THE
SHARED GOAL. AND TO THE WORK AHEAD OF US
I BELIEVE THAT TOGETHER WE WILL. WITH THAT, NOW IT IS MY DISTINCT
ON AS MARTIN LUTHER PROCLAMATIO PRESENT A
KING JR. DAY THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF WISCONSIN AND HONORING.
DR. KING FOR HIS PROFOUND LEGACY AND LASTING IMPACT THAT STILL
LIVES ON IN OUR STATE TODAY. DR. OVERBY, IT IS YOURS.
[APPLAUSE] [MUSIC]
>> WILL YOU TURN THE MUSIC UP? YEAH.
TURN IT UP. [MUSIC]
>> ALL RIGHT. I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A GOOD OLD
HOUSE PARTY.
SETTING IS -- MORE FITTING FOR DR. KING.
I WOULD LIKE TO PASS THIS TO CHMEONE IN OUR AUDIENCE, OUR
AIR DR. EDWARDO EMMANUEL. THIS IS THE PROCLAMATION.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING OUT TODAY.
GIVE YOURSELF A HAND. THANK YOU.
APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE. [APPLAUSE]
EACH YEAR IN THE SPIRIT OF GOOD COMMUNITY TO
STAND AND GREET EACH OTHER AND SAY HELLO TO THE PERSON ACROSS
THE ISLE. PERHAPS YOU COULD PLAN A GROUP
SLEEP OVER OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES.
STAND AND SAY HELLO TO SOMEONE NEXT TO YOU ACROSS THE ISLE IF
YOU WOULD, PLEASE.
TODAY, MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2023, MARK A RETURN TO OUR IN-PERSON
CELEBRATION OF DR. KING HERE IN THE ROTUNDA. WE
THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN GATHER NOT ONLY TO CELEBRATE THE
BIRTHDAY OF REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR IN WORDS AND
COLLECTIVE AND INDIVIDUAL OUR
COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE FOR ALL AND NOT JUST SOME. IN THAT
SPACE, I INVITE YOU TO STAND AND GREET YOUR NEIGHBOR ACROSS THE
ISLE.
ON THIS DAY WE CAN RECONNECT WITH THE FULL BREATH OF JUSTICE,
AS MORE THAN JUST A MATTER ASSIGNED TO LAW, BUT IS IN THE
SPIRIT OF "GOOD COMMUNITY", A CHANCE TO DEMONSTRATE OUR
DEDICATION TO CARING ABOUT, AND SERVING EACH OTHER, AS A WAY OF
LIFE. THIS IS I BELIEVE A
WORTHY STRUGGLE TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF THIS DISEASE THAT
CAUSES PEOPLE IN WORD AND DEED TO DISRUPT THE VERY IDEA OF
UNITY, BY SOWING DISSENSION, HATRED AND MARGINALIZATION OF
THOSE LOOK DIFFERENT, SPEAK DIFFERENTLY, DRESS DIFFERENTLY,
HAIL FROM A SO-CALLED FOREIGN LAND AS IMMIGRANTS, OR MERELY
BECAUSE THEY WANT TO LOVE WHO THEY LOVE, WANT TO LIVE HOW THEY
WANT TO LIVE, AND WANT TO CELEBRATE THEIR DREAMS NOT
TOMORROW OR SOMEWHERE DOWN THE ROAD BUT NOW, TODAY.
LET THE EVIDENCE SHOW THAT WE, THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN ACCEPT
THE CALL - THE CHALLENGE TO MAKE OUR STATE A JUST AND WELCOMING
PLACE FOR ALL. [APPLAUSE]
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, FOLKS,
BUT THIS COULDN'T BE THE EVENT IT SHOULD BE WITHOUT SOME GOOD
LE TASTE OF SOMETHING, WE LITTEL MUSIC, DO YOU AGREE?
HAVE MORE THAN A TASTE FOR YOU, TODAY.
RETURNING TO WISCONSIN ONCE AGAIN, HERE ARE THE BROWN
SISTERS OF CHICAGO. [APPLAUSE]
>> WELL, DOCTOR, WOULD YOU MIND IF WE PUT OUR HANDS TOGETHER ON
THIS SONG?
>> YES. >> ALL RIGHT.
JESUS WILL. TO GET UP ON
YOUR FEET. [MUSIC]
[MUSIC]
[MUS
[MUSIC]
[APPLAUSE]
PAZ PAZ >> THE BROWN SISTERS OF CHICAGO.
[APPLAUSE]
AS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER CAROLA A. GAINES WAS ONE OF THE FIRST
COVID-19 PANDEMIC HIT. SHE RECOGNING INTO ACTION WHEN THE
IZED THAT COMMUNITIES OF RE BOTH THE HARDEST HIT BY COVID A
ND THE MOST VACCINE ESITANT.
UNITY LOCATIONS—BLACK CHURCHES, TES AT TRUSTED
THE URBAN LEAGUE OF N, AT MUSIC FESTIVALS...MANY MORE
PEOPLE OF ITED ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE TO REC
EIVE MUCH NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION.
GAINES...MEMBER OF THE MADISON ALUMNAE CHAPTER OF DELTA SIGMA
THETA SORORITY...RENDERS UNTLESS HOURS OF VOLUNTEER
SERVICE FOR THE THE DANE COUNTY ASTHMA COALITION, COMMUNITY
HEALTH TASK FORCE, AFRICAN AN HEALTH NETWORK, AND MUCH MORE.
HER MIDDLE INITIAL T VERY WELL - "A" MIGHT MIGH
STAND FOR, A TRUE SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE.
ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR TONY EVERS, I'M PLEASED
TO ANNOUNCE THAT CAROLA A. GAINES IS A RECIPIENT OF THE
WISCONSIN 2023 MLK HERITAGE AWARD.
[APPLAUSE] [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
>> I AM IN AWE. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU
GOVERNOR EVERS AND YOUR STAFF.
DR. JONATHAN OVERBY AND SONG PRODUCTION FOR THIS INCREDIBLE
UNIMAGINABLE HERITAGE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD GIVEN TO ME.
DR. OVERBY YOU HAVE LET YOUR VISION AND JUSTICE RULE FOR 42
YEARS. WE STAND HERE TODAY, THE OLDEST
STATE IN AMERICA HAS CELEBRATED AND PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE LATE
REVEREND, DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING . JR
DR. OVERBY! DR. OVERBY TODAY,
WE STAND ON YOUR SHOULDERS OF SERVICE.
[APPLAUSE] I PRAY THE COMMUNITY IS PLEASED
WITH MY YEARS OF SERVICE. I FEEL MY PURPOSE ON EARTH IS TO
BE A SERVANT LEADER. AND I TRY EVERYDAY TO PERSEVERE,
TO BE DEDICATED, PASSIONATE, TO UPLIFT OUR PEOPLE AND COMMITTED
TO BE A PART OF TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE AS DR. KING WAS.
[APPLAUSE] I MY DECEASED GRANDPARENTS MY
DIDN'T EVEN KNOW.AND, MY HUSBAND
THANK YOU, I AM SORRY. [LAUGHTER]
TO MY CHILDREN, TO UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN WHO LET ME DO -- WHO I
SERVE TO MY FRIENDS, CHURCH FAMILY TO MY PASTOR HERE,
REVEREND DR. MARCUS ALLEN. THANK YOU.
AND LAST BUT NOT AT LEAST I THANK GOD FOR CREATING ME TO BE
SERVANT FOR OTHERS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
GOD BLESS. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
>> I HAVE TO SAY YOU ARE WEARING THOSE SNEAKERS.
GIVE HER ANOTHER ROUND OF
APPLAUSE, CAROLA PETERSON-GAINES.
KALAANJALI INDIAN SCHOOL OF DANCE & MUSIC, BASED IN MADISON,
IS DIRECTED BY MEENAKSHI GA-NEY-SAN, HERE WITH A
PERFORMANCE OF, BA-RATA NA-T'YAM, A CLASSICAL INDIAN
DANCE BASED UPON A POPULAR POEM BY BHA-RA-THI-YAAR WHO WROTE
POEMS AND SONGS ON, WOMANIST EMPOWERMENT, SPEAKING YOUR MIND,
CHASING YOUR DREAMS, AND FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE.
WARM WELCOME TO THE KALAANJALI INDIAN SCHOOL OF DANCE.
[APPLAUSE]
[MUSIC]...
[MUSIC] [MUSIC]
[MUSIC] [APPLAUSE]
PARDEEP SINGH KALEKA'S ABILITY
TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE PROVED USEFUL IN THE MILWAUKEE POLICE
DEPARTMENT, WHERE HE SERVED AS A POLICE OFFICER FOR FOUR YEARS,
AND IN MILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WHERE HE TAUGHT AT-RISK YOUTH
FOR EIGHT. BUT IT WASN'T UNTIL AUG. 5, 2012, WHEN A WHITE
SUPREMACIST ENTERED THE SIKH TEMPLE OF WISCONSIN AND FATALLY
SHOT SIX MEMBERS, INCLUDING KALEKA'S FATHER, THAT THE HE
DECIDED TO FOCUS HIS LIFE AROUND BUILDING BRIDGES.
“IN THE HOURS FOLLOWING THE SHOOTING, SO MANY DIFFERENT
PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES CAME TOGETHER,” RECALLS KALEKA...WITH
EMPATHY. IN THAT MOMENT, I FELT I HAD A CHOICE. I CHOSE TO KEEP
PEOPLE TOGETHER AND HELP THEM NAVIGATE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES,
CUSTOMS AND CULTURES.” TODAY KALEKA, AUTHOR OF "THE
THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS... ES
GIVES TALKS ON THE POWER OF EMPATHY AND IS THE DIRECTOR OF
THE INTERFAITH CONFERENCE OF GREATER MILWAUKEE...IN PART
BECAUSE FOR AMERICA TO FEEL WELCOMING TO IMMIGRANTS, PEOPLE
NEED TO SEE THEMSELVES IN HIS LIFE IS A
ADAGE. GOVERNOR TONY EVERS, I'M PLEASED
TO ANNOUNCE THAT PARDEEP SINGH KALEKA IS A RECIPIENT OF THE
WISCONSIN 2023 MLK HERITAGE [APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU. MOMENTS LIKE THIS YOU JUST NEED
TO BREATHE IN. GOOD AFTERNOON.
GREETINGS. IF I DIDN'T USE YOUR GREETINGS,
GREETINGS ANY WAYS. HAPPY CELEBRATION OF DR. KING.
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO DR. OVERBY GOVERNOR EVERS.
ALL OF OUR ELECTED COMMITTEE, EVERYONE GATHERED UP HERE AROUND
HERE. AS I WAS THINKING OF WHAT
HAPPENED AUGUST 5TH, 2012, I COULDN'T THINK OF WHAT HAPPENED
50 YEARS BEFORE THAT WHEN FOUR LITTLE GIRLS ENDURED THE IMPACT
LUTHER KING JR. AND INSPIRED A
CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. AGEDY WAS THE DEADLIEST STRATEGY C
OMMITTED BY WHITE 0 YEARS SINCE SUPREMACIST IN 5
THAT BOMB. WHAT WE HAD TO CHOOSE AT THAT
TIME WAS CHOICE TO LISTEN. THIS IS FOR ALL OF US, WHEN I
THINK ABOUT THE LEGACY OF DR. KING, WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE
LEGACY OF ALL THOSE THAT LEFT US AND HERE WE SIT DOWN TODAY, I
THINK ABOUT OUR ABILITY TO LISTEN IS WHAT CONNECTS US ALL.
DR. KING, HIS LIFE, HIS LEGACY. AS WE WERE KIND OF SITTING UP
HERE, WE WERE LISTENING TO DIFFERENT BANDS FROM DIFFERENT
PLACES, THERE WAS A SPIRIT OF CONNECTION AS ONE SAID OF
MUTUALITY. I COULDN'T HELP, I SAID YOU KNOW
WHAT, WE NEED TO MAKE IT INTENTIONAL.
DR. KING -- HERE CELEBRATING LEGACY OF A MAN.
OF A GREAT SPIRIT.ATING LEGACY
THIS SPIRIT CONNECTS US ALL. OUR HEART BEAT REMINDS US WE ARE
CONNECTED TO THE SPIRIT. SOME OF US CAN DANCE, SOME OF US
CAN'T. SO AS -- JUST KIDDING.
AS WE WERE GOING THROUGH THAT, YOU CAN SEE WHO HAS TO LISTEN TO
THAT SPIRIT. SOMETIME THAT SPIRIT WHISPERS,
SOMETIMES TALKS TO US. SOMETIMES THAT SPIRIT SCREAMS AT
US. TO SOME OF US, THAT SPIRIT IS
SCREAMING. AND IT DOESN'T TAKE SOMETHING
LIKE AUGUST 5TH TO HAPPEN. SO AS WE GO FORWARD, GO ON TO
THE GREAT SPIRIT OF LISTENING TO THAT SPIRIT AS IF THAT SPIRIT IS
SCREAMING AT YOU. LET'S ALL COMMIT TO THE LIFE,
THE LEGACY AND COMMIT TO THE JUSTICE TOGETHER, THANK YOU SO
MUCH. [APPLAUSE]
OUR GUEST SPEAKER TODAY LAURIE A. CARTER.
RTER JOINED THE LAWRENCE UNIVERSIT
Y COMMUNITY AS N JULY 1, 2021, BRINGING WITH HER
A VISION THAT INCLUDES IMPLEMENTING
STUDENT-CENTERED GUIDING COALITIONS TO FACILITATE MORE
EFFECTIVE CHANGE IMPLEMENTATION AT THE UNIVERSITY.
IN HER BRIEF TIME AS PRESIDENT, CARTER HAS IDENTIFIED FOCUSED
INVESTMENT PRIORITIES THROUGH COMMUNITY-WIDE ENGAGEMENT THAT
WILL POSITION LAWRENCE TO TE AND MEET THE ANTICIPA
CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE. [APPLAUSE]
>> WONDERFUL TO BE A PART OF THIS GREAT STATE, THANK YOU.
TO GOVERNOR EVERS, FIRST LADY EVERS, REPRESENTATIVE STUBS,
PROMO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY TRUSTEE
BARBARA LAWTON AND LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY VICE CHAIR SARA, THE
PLATFORM PARTY ALL ASSEMBLED HERE AND ACROSS THE GREAT STATE
OF WISCONSIN GOOD AFTERNOON. AND HAPPY REVEREND MARTIN LUTHER
KING JR. DAY. [APPLAUSE]
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU DR. OVERBY AND PBS FOR BEING ABLE TO
SHARE THIS YEAR'S THEME LET JUSTICE RULE.
AS AN ATTORNEY MYSELF, AND WIFE TO A RETIRED POLICE DETECTIVE
WHO SPENT HIS CAREER WORKING IN A PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, I HAVE AN
UE PERSPECTIVE ON JUSTICE UNIQMATE UNDERSTANDING AND
AND HOW IT RULES. THIS PERSPECTIVE BEGAN LONG
BEFORE I ATTENDED LAW SCHOOL.
GROWING UP IN AN INTEGRATED TOWN IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY, I
VIVIDLY REMEMBER WHEN DR. KING ASSASSINATED.
I WAS A CHILD AT THE TIME AND COULDN'T GRASP WHY SOMEONE WOULD
KILL A MINISTER. MY GRANDFATHER WAS A MINISTER.
LIKE DR. KING, HE DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO THE SERVICE OF GOD AND
ELEVATING BLACK PEOPLE. SO AT AN EARLY AGE I LEARNED
ABOUT THE WORK OF DR. KING AND THE INJUSTICE THAT WAS VISITED
ON BLACKS IN AMERICA. WHEN I WAS 16, MY MATERNAL
GRANDPARENTS TOOK ME WITH THEM ON A TRIP TO MACON, GEORGIA, MY
GRANDFATHER'S BIRTHPLACE. WE VISIT TODAY FARM, WHERE HIS
FATHER A SHARECROPPER TENDED LAND.
WE VISITED THE THREE-ROOM SHOTGUN HOUSE WHERE HE LIVED AS
A CHILD BEFORE THE FAMILY MIGRATED TO NEW JERSEY.
THIS EXPERIENCE WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME MY GRANDFATHER
SHARED STORIES GROWING UP IN THE SOUTH.
IT WAS CHILLING TO HEAR THAT HE HAD LIVED THROUGH SUCH DIFFICULT
TIMES. AND THAT TRIP CHANGED ME.
WAS THE ONLY ONE OF 15 GRANDCHILDREN ON THAT TRIP.
IT WAS A PRIVILEGE TO SPEND THAT SACRED TIME WITH MY
GRANDPARENTS. THE EXPERIENCE INSTILLED IN ME,
A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY THAT I DIDN'T FULLY UNDERSTAND AT THE
TIME BUT I RETURNED HOME WITH A PURPOSE TO LIVE A LIFE THAT
NORED THE SACRIFICES THAT MY RS MADE. ELDE
I COULD PURSUE A LIFE OF JUSTICE AS THEY AND OTHERS FOUGHT FOR ME
TO HAVE. WHEN DR. OVERBY CALLED TO INVITE
ME TO ADDRESS YOU, I WAS IMMEDIATELY TRANSPORTED BACK TO
MY TIME AT THE JULIE ARTS SCHOOL, FOR 25 YEARS I HAD THE
PRIVILEGE OF PRODUCING ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF LIFE AND WORK OF
DR. KING. I WAS BLESSED TO WORK WITH
ACTORS LIKE VIOLA DAVIS, DANIEL BROOKS AND ANTHONY MACKY.
ERS ROBERT BATTLE. ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE DANCE
COMPANY AND MUSICIANS LIKE JONATHAN BATIST.
IN THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO THAT ANNUAL PRODUCTION, EVERY YEAR I
EXCERPTS TALKING ABOUT THE LIFE
AND WORK OF DR. KING. IT WAS IMPORTANT THIS WAS NOT
JUST ANOTHER JULIE ART ORMANCE.
IT WAS VITAL THAT WE CAPTURED THE SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE,
RSEVERANCE AND LOVE OF DR. WORK. AND THE QUESTION WHAT IS JUS
TICE DR. KING SAID POWER AT ITS BEST
IS LOVE IMPLEMENTING DEMANDS OF JUSTICE.
JUSTICE AT ITS BEST IS POWER CORRECTING EVERYTHING THAT
STANDS AGAINST LOVE. AT JULIE ART, I FOUND THIS POWER
OF LOVE SUPPORTING STUDENTS THROUGH THEIR INDIVIDUAL
UCATIONAL JOURNEYS.
AFTER ALL, HIGHER EDUCATION HAD TRANSFORMED MY LIFE.
GENERATION COLLEGE CHED BOTH OF MY PARENTS OBTAIN HIG
HER DEGREES OF EDUCATION AFTER RAISING THEIR
FAMILY. DR. KING TAUGHT US ROAD TO
JUSTICE IS NOT A STRAIGHT PATH. MY OWN JOURNEY GUIDED ME TO
BELIEVE EDUCATION IS A PATH TO JUSTICE, UNANTICIPATED TWISTS OF
FATES AND UNKNOWNS. IT WAS ALSO AT JULIE ART I MET
MY HUSBAND AND GAVE BIRTH TO A BEAUTIFUL BROWN BABY BOY.
WE LIVED IN A COMMUNITY TOUTED AS WONDERFULLY DIVERSE.
BUT AS SEGREGATED AS THE SOUTH WHEN MY HUSBAND AND PARENTS GREW
UP THERE 20 MILES FROM MY OWN HOME.
AND VISTAGES OF THAT SEGREGATION LINGERED.
WHEN I WAS SON WAS BORN, MY AFRICAN-AMERICAN DOCTOR
CAUTIONED ME ABOUT SENDING OUR SON TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL BECAUSE
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST LITTLE BLACK BOYS WAS COMMON.
WE DECIDED OUR SON'S FUTURE WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT INVESTMENT WE
COULD MAKE. WE SACRIFICED A GREAT DEAL TO
PLACE HIM IN AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL WHERE HE COULD THRIVE.
SO OF COURSE AS HE GREW, MY HUSBAND HAD THE TALK WITH HIM.
WE WANTED TO BE SURE HE WAS PREPARED TO THRIVE AND SURVIVE
IN A WORLD THAT WOULD NOT BECOME ONE AND JUDGE HIM SOLELY ON THE
CONTENT OF HIS CHARACTER. WHILE IT IS NOT A SHOCK HE WAS
PULLED OVER MORE THAN ONES BY THE POLICE.
IT WAS A SHOCK THAT IT WAS ON THE NIGHT OF MY INAUGURATION HE
A COLLEGE FRESHMAN DROVE MY TWO NIECES BACK TO THE HE TELL ON
THE OTHER SIDE OF CAMPUS. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE
CHIEF AND WENT ABOUT THE INSTITUTION.
INJUSTICE OF THE MOMENT INTENSIFIED SEVERAL MONTHS LATER
WHEN I WAS INFORMED BY A FACULTY MEMBER SHE WAS TOLD BY A MEMBER
OF THE CAMPUS FORCE OUR SON HAD BEEN STOPPED FOR DRUNK DRIVING.
INJUSTICE OF THAT LIE STUNG MORE THAN THE ACT ITSELF.
AT THAT MOMENT, I RELIED ON DR. KING WHO HAS CONTINUED TO BE
THROUGHOUT MY LIFE A SPIRITUAL NTOR. ME
AND I STOOD FIRM IN HIS BELIEF THAT JUSTICE AT ITS BEST IS
POWER CORRECTING EVERYTHING THAT STANDS AGAINST LOVE.
AS A PERSON OF FAITH, I WAS REMINDED OF DR. KING'S WORDS:
THEY HAVE NO COMPREHENSION OF THE STRENGTH THAT COMES FROM
FAITH IN GOD AND MAN. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR ME TO FALTER.
BUT I AM PROUDLY SECURE IN MY KNOWLEDGE GOD LOVES US.
HE HAS NOT WORKED OUT A DESIGN FOR OUR FAILURE.
CAPACITY TO DO RIGHT NG. HIS HISTORY IS A PATH UPWARD,
NOT DOWNWARD. THE PAST IS STREWN WITH THE
RUINS OF TYRANNY AND EACH IS A NUMENT NOT NEARLY TO MAN'S BLUNDE
RS BUT HIS CAPACITY TO HEM. OVERCOME T
I RESOLVED TO OVERCOME BY RELYING ON MY FAITH AND LEANING
INTO MY PASSION FOR EDUCATION AND I SET OUT TO CREATE A CAMPUS
ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERYONE HAD A SENSE OF BELONGING, AND A WAY TO
THRIVE WHEN I ACCEPTED THE PRESIDENCY, POWER OF EDUCATION
AS A GREAT EQUALIZER COMMITTED TO BEING A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE
CAN THRIVE. EACH DAY WE STRIVE TO BE THE
SIONED. ENVIVED COMMUNITY DR. KING
LAWRENCE IS AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING THAT PROVIDES A
LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION AND PREPARES STUDENTS FOR A
SUCCESSFUL LIFE AND PREPARES THEM FOR ANY JOB THIS RAPIDLY
HANGING WORLD WILL PLACE BEFORE THEM.
A PLACE WHERE CRITICAL THINKING, PROBLEM SOLVING, STRONG
COMMUNICATION, WRITING, AND COLLABORATION SKILLS ARE
DEVELOPED. A PLACE WHERE DEMONSTRATED
FINANCIAL NEED IS MET SO THAT STUDENTS ARE FREE TO AVAIL
THEMSELVES OF THE RIGOR OF ION WITH OPPORTUNITIES SUCH AS ST
UDY ABROAD, AND PAID A PLACE WHERE JUSTICE LIVES
BECAUSE IT IS FUELLED BY THE POWER OF LOVE.
THIS IS THE LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY THAT A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE
LIFE AND WORK OF DR. KING HAS INSPIRED ME TO LEAD.
SO ON THIS MLK DAY IT IS IMPORTANT TO SERVE YET WE MUST
GO DEEPER THAN A DAY OF SERVICE. DR. KING SAID, ONE OF THE GREAT
TRAGEDIES OF LIFE IS THAT MEN SELDOM BRIDGE THE GOLF BETWEEN
PRACTICE AND PROFESSION, BETWEEN DOING AND SAYING.
A PERSISTENT SCHIZOPHRENIA LEAVES SO MANY OF US TRAGICALLY
DIVIDED AGAINST OURSELVES. ON THE ONE HAND PROUDLY PROFESS
CERTAIN SUBLIME AND NOBLE PRINCIPLES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, SADLY PRACTICE VERY ANTITHESIS OF
THESE PRINCIPLES. HOW OFTEN ARE OUR LIVES
CHARACTERIZED BY HIGH BLOOD PRESSUE OF CREEDS AND ANEMIA OF
DEEDS. WE MAKE OUR FERVENT PLEAS FOR
HIGH ROAD OF JUSTICE AND TREAD TO THE LOW ROAD OF INJUSTICE.
THIS STRANGE DICHOTOMY IS AGONIZING OUGHT AND IS
REPRESENTS TRAGIC THEME OF MAN'S EARTHLY PILGRIMAGE.
EACH OF US CAN CHANGE THE WORLD. HAVE YOU FALLEN PREY TO ANEMIA
OF DEEDS? WE OWE IT TO OURSELVES AND THE
LEGACY DR. KING LEFT TO CHALLENGE OURSELVES TO DO
BETTER. HIS LIFE AND MY OWN JOURNEY ARE
PROOF THIS IS NOT AN EASY ROAD, NOR IS IT A COMFORTABLE ONE, YET
IT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE MUST DO IF WE TRULY BELIEVE IN JUSTICE.
DR. KING SAW THE BEST AND WORST OF HUMANITY.
HE SAID THAT HUMAN PROGRESS IS NEITHER AUTOMATIC OR INEVITABLE.
EVERY STEP TO THE GOAL OF JUSTICE REQUIRES SACRIFICE,
SUFFERING, AND STRUGGLE. TIRELESS EXERTIONS AND
PASSIONATE CONCERN OF DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS.
DR. KING CHALLENGED US TO EXAM OURSELVES AND ASK IF WE ARE
REALLY WORKING TOWARD THE GOAL OF JUSTICE, SACRIFICE,
SUFFERING, AND STRUGGLE ARE NOT EASY TO UNDERTAKE.
THEY ARE NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.
MANY OF US CAN SAY WE HAVE MADE SACRIFICE TOWARDS JUSTICE.
WE HAVE ENGAGED IN SOME LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT CAUSED US TO GIVE
UP TIME, TALENT OR TREASURES THAT WE COULD HAVE USED FOR
OTHER PURPOSES. I ASK HAVE WE SUFFERED OR
STRUGGLED? THE STORY I SHARED EARLIER WAS
THE TIP OF AN ICE BURGER OF STRUGGLE.
THAT TRIP TO MACON, GEORGIA PREPARED ME FOR SACRIFICE,
STRUGGLE, AND EVEN SUFFERING. WHILE I KNEW THAT MY LIFE WAS
NOT GOING TO BE EASY, I ALSO KNEW IT WOULD NOT BE NEARLY AS
DIFFICULT AS THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE ME.
I AM GRATEFUL FOR DR. KING AND OTHERS WHO PAVED THE WAY.
HAD THEY GOTTEN WEARY IN WELL DOING, I WOULD NOT BE STANDING
HERE TODAY. I EMBRACE AND CONTINUE TO
EMBRACE THE STRUGGLE AND SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY I LEARNED ON
THAT TRIP. SO THAT MY SON AND YOUNG PEOPLE
WHOSE LIVES ARE ENTRUSTED TO ME WILL HAVE A LIFE CLOSER TO DR.
KING'S DREAM THAN MY OWN. I ASK YOU TO REFLECT ON
SACRIFICE, AND STRUGGLE OF DR. KING'S LIFE AND WORK.
TO TAKE WITH YOU MY WISH FOR US TODAY AND EVERYDAY.
DR. KING SAID IT BEST WHEN HE SAID TRUE PEACE IS NOT NEARLY
THE ABSENCE OF TENSION IT IS THE PRESENCE OF JUSTICE.
I WISH YOU A LIFE OF PEACEW AND JUSTICE.
USE]
>> LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT LAURIE A. CARTER.
[APPLAUSE] AND NOW IT HAS BEEN THE
TRADITION HERE AT THIS ANNUAL EVENT IN THE STATE CAPITOL TO
HAVE A STUDENT READ AND DEON JOHNSON, "DREAM" EXCERPT
RENDER AN EXCERPT FROM DR. KING'S 1963 SPEECH, “I HAVE A
DREAM” IS, DEON JOHNSON, JR. 4TH GRADER AT ABARHAM LINCOLN
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MADISON, WI. DEON ENJOYS BASKETBALL, PLAYS ON
THE SOUTHSIDE RAIDERS FOOTBALL TEAM, LIKES TO READ AND TELL
STORIES. PLEASE WELCOME DEON JOHNSON, JR.
[APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY. >> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS DEON JOHNSON AND I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH BY DR.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. EVEN THOUGH WE -- I STILL HAVE A
DREAM IT IS A DREAM DEEPLY AN AMERICAN DREAM.
I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY THIS NATION WILL RISE UP AND LIVE OUT
SELFOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE ED.
-EVIDENT THAT ALL MEN ARE EQUAL. I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY
OUT IN THE RED HILLS OF GEORGIA THE
SONS OF FORMER SLAVES AND THE SONS OF FORMER SLAVEOWNERS 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 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 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; THAT ONE DAY RIGHT DOWN 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 THAT ONE DAY
EVERY VALLEY SHALL BE ENGULFED, EVERY HILL SHALL BE EXALTED AND
EVERY MOUNTAIN SHALL BE MADE LOW, THE ROUGH PLACES WILL BE
MADE PLAINS AND THE CROOKED PLACES WILL BE MADE STRAIGHT AND
THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHALL BE REVEALED AND ALL FLESH SHALL SEE
IT TOGETHER. THIS IS OUR HOPE. THIS IS THE
FAITH THAT I WILL GO BACK TO THE SOUTH WITH. WITH THIS FAITH WE
MOUNTAIN OF DESPAIR A STONE OF HOLL BE ABLE TO HEW OUT OF THE
PE. E WITH THIS FAITH WE WILL BE ABL
TO TRANSFORM THE JANGLING DISCORDS OF OUR NATION INTO A
BROTHERHOOD.MPHONY OF
WITH THIS FAITH WE WILL BE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER, TO PRAY
TOGETHER, TO STRUGGLE TOGETHER, TO GO TO JAIL TOGETHER, TO CLIMB
UP FOR FREEDOM TOGETHER, KNOWING THAT WE WILL BE FREE ONE DAY.
THIS WILL BE THE DAY WHEN ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN WILL BE ABLE TO
SING WITH NEW MEANING “MY COUNTRY 'TIS OF THEE, SWEET LAND
OF LIBERTY, OF THEE I SING. LAND WHERE MY FATHER'S 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. SO LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE
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 SNOW-CAPPED 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 EVERY HILL
AND MOLEHILL OF MISSISSIPPI AND EVERY MOUNTAINSIDE.
WHEN WE LET FREEDOM RING, WHEN WE LET IT RING FROM EVERY
TENEMENT AND EVERY HAMLET, FROM EVERY STATE AND EVERY CITY, WE
Y WHEN ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN, BLAC BE ABLE TO SPEED UP THAT
K MEN AND WHITE MEN, JEWS AND GENTILES, PROTESTANTS AND
HANDS AND SING IN THE WORDS OF
LAST, FREE AT LAST. THANK GOD
ALMIGHTY, WE ARE FREE AT LAST.” CHEERED CHEERED
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] FRIENDS, IT IS TIME TO
LOWER THE CURTAIN AS THEY SAY ON THIS EDITION OF WISCONSIN'S
ANNUAL TRIBUTE AND CEREMONY. MADE POSSIBLE BY OFFICE OF
GOVERNOR TONY EVERS, STAFF, SPONSORS, PARTICIPANTS.
PERFORMERS, PRODUCTION CREWS, VOLUNTEERS, MLK PLANNING GROUP.
OUR GUESTS AND YOU. WHO COME OUT EVERY YEAR TO
CELEBRATE THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. KING.
WOULD YOU STAND AND LET US SING THAT SONG THAT STILL RINGS TRUE
THAT WE HAVE LET TO OVERCOME. BUT WE WANT TO, WE STRUGGLE TO,
WE STRIVE TO. [SINGING]
WE SHALL OVERCOME... [SINGING]
COME ON, SING IT LIKE IT IS.
[MUSIC] LET'S SING IT ONE MORE TIME.
IC] >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH MUCH,
COMING OUT TO CELEBRATE LIFE AND L
EGACY OF DR. [APPLAUSE] ER KING JR.