*
>> 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.
>> HELLO, I'M JONATHAN OVERBY.
WELCOME TO THE STATE OF WISCONSIN'S 38TH CEREMONY
HONORING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
COMING UP,
YOU'LL REVISIT THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. KING AND
SO MANY OTHER WOMEN AND MEN WHO STOOD TALL IN THE FACE OF
BIGOTRY, HATRED AND MARGINALIZED.
TODAY'S GUEST SPEAKER, MUHIBB DYER,
WAS BORN AND RAISED IN MILWAUKEE IN THE MOST INCARCERATED ZIP
CODE IN AMERICA.
HE'LL SHARE HIS PERSONAL STORY OF OVERCOMING WHAT HE DESCRIBES
AS DEBILITATING INNER CITY LIFE ENROUTE TO ACHIEVING HIS DREAM
OF GRADUATING FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF
WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE.
ALONG THE WAY, DYER RELATES THAT HE DISCOVERED AN UNEXPECTED
GIFT: HIS VOICE, WHICH HE NOW USES TO HELP OTHERS IN MILWAUKEE
AND THROUGHOUT THE NATION THROUGH PRESENTATIONS TO YOUTH,
COMMUNITY GROUPS, COLLEGE STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS.
OUR COVERAGE OF TODAY'S EVENT INCLUDES INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC,
THE PRESENTATION OF THE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
HERITAGE AWARD AND, IN THE SPIRIT OF GOOD COMMUNITY,
LOTS OF CELEBRATION.
I HOPE YOU ENJOY THESE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRIBUTE
HONORING MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
* I WAS BORN BY THE RIVER
* IN A LITTLE OLD TENT
* AND, OH, JUST LIKE THE RIVER
I'VE BEEN RUNNING EVER SINCE *
* IT'S BEEN A LONG, A LONG TIME
COMING *
* BUT I KNOW CHANGE GONNA COME
* O, YES, IT WILL
* IT'S BEEN TOO HARD LIVING, BUT
I'M AFRAID TO DIE *
* 'CAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S UP
THERE BEYOND THE SKY *
* IT'S BEEN A LONG, A LONG TIME
COMING *
* BUT I KNOW A CHANGE GONNA
COME *
* O, YES, IT WILL
* I GO TO THE MOVIES
* AND I GO DOWNTOWN
* SOMEBODY KEEP TELLING ME
DON'T, DON'T HANG AROUND *
* IT'S BEEN A LONG, A LONG TIME
COMING *
* BUT I KNOW A CHANGE GONNA
COME *
* O, YES IT WILL
* THEN I GO TO MY BROTHER
* AND I SAY, BROTHER, HELP ME,
PLEASE *
* BUT HE WINDS UP, SOMEHOW HE
WINDS UP KNOCKING ME *
* BACK DOWN, HE KNOCK ME BACK
DOWN ON MY KNEES *
* THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES THAT
I'VE THOUGHT I COULDN'T LAST FOR
LONG *
* BUT NOW I THINK I'M ABLE TO
CARRY ON *
* IT'S BEEN A LONG, A LONG TIME
COMING *
* BUT I KNOW A CHANGE GONNA
COME *
* SAY IT WITH ME
* O, YES, IT WILL
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I DON'T KNOW HOW OLD HE IS,
BUT YOUNG ELIJAH EDWARDS HAS AN OLD SOUL.
WILL YOU JOIN ME IN SAYING THANK YOU TO HIM ONE MORE TIME?
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> WELL, GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.
I'M LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR REBECCA KLEEFISCH.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE GOVERNOR COULD NOT BE WITH YOU TODAY,
BUT I AM DELIGHTED TO BE HERE IN HIS STEAD.
AND I GET TO WELCOME YOU TO WISCONSIN'S 38TH ANNUAL TRIBUTE
AND CEREMONY HONORING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. ,
THE OLDEST CELEBRATION OF SAID KIND IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA!
[APPLAUSE]
>> AND NOW PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THIS CEREMONY,
THE INCOMPARABLE DR. JONATHAN OVERBY!
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY.
WELL, FOLKS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING OUT TO HONOR THE
REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
THIS DAY WE CELEBRATE IT ON HIS BIRTHDAY, JANUARY 15, 2018,
ON THE ACTUAL DAY OF HIS BIRTHDAY,
OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED AS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY.
THE 2018 THEME POSES A QUESTION "DO YOU REMEMBER? "
THIS IS AN INVITATION TO REVISIT THOSE CHERISHED
MEMORIES, THOSE TIMES WHEN INDIVIDUALS,
FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES, IN SPITE OF THE HARDSHIPS,
IN SPITE OF THE JOBLESSNESS, IN SPITE OF HATRED,
IN SPITE OF INJUSTICE, WE FOUND A WAY TO EMBRACE EACH OTHER IN
THE SPIRIT OF ACCEPTANCE, GOOD COMMUNITY AND,
AS DR. KING LIVED AND TAUGHT US, IN THE SPIRIT OF LOVE.
BY CONTRAST, 50 YEARS AFTER KING'S ASSASSINATION,
THOSE TIMES BACK THEN ARE ODDLY FAMILIAR TODAY,
WHERE NASTY PUBLIC DISCOURSE, VOID OF ANY SOCIAL ETIQUETTE,
HATRED TOWARD THOSE WHO ARE DIFFERENT, FEAR OF THE STRANGER,
FEAR OF THOSE WHOSE DAILY ATTIRE, COSTUMES, CUSTOMS,
LANGUAGE, BELIEFS AND RITUALS ARE NOT LIKE OUR OWN, SOME SAY.
WE SEE TODAY AN OVERT RACIAL DIVISIVENESS.
IT AFFIRMS THAT WE AS A NATION MAY HAVE NEVER REALLY OVERCOME
THE DISEASE OF RACISM.
AND YET WITH THIS BACKDROP, WE REFER TO THIS DAY AS A HOLIDAY
FOR DR. KING, A BENEVOLENT LEADER WHO DARED TO DREAM FOR A
BETTER NATION FOR ALL OF ITS PEOPLE.
THERE IS A MOVEMENT AFOOT TO UPROOT THE SEEDS OF HIS
SACRIFICE, MIRRORED BY SO MANY WOMEN AND MEN.
BUT TODAY, BEGINNING TODAY, I INVITE YOU, I ASK YOU,
I PLEAD WITH YOU TO REMEMBER THAT HIS DREAM IS NOT AN
IMPOSSIBLE ONE TO REACH.
IN FACT, ALL OF OUR JOURNEYS ARE FILLED WITH OPPORTUNITIES,
IN SPITE OF UNBEARABLE SORROW, NO MATTER HOW HOPELESS,
OUR LIVES ARE FILLED WITH THE CHANCE TO LOVE EACH OTHER.
A LOVE THAT CAN BE EXTENDED WITH A HANDSHAKE, A HUG, A HELLO AND,
ABOVE ALL, THE ABILITY TO LISTEN TO EACH OTHER,
TO EMBRACE EACH OTHER, EVEN IF WE DON'T ALWAYS AGREE.
SO TODAY LET US LOVE, LET US CELEBRATE EACH OTHER,
LET US REMEMBER THE LEGACY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING.
JOINING US TODAY ARE MEMBERS OF THE SIKH TEMPLE OF WISCONSIN IN
OAK CREEK, WISCONSIN.
YOU MAY RECALL AUGUST OF 2012 A MASS SHOOTING TOOK PLACE AT THE
GUD WGTEMPLE.
THE SIKH TEMPLE HAS A DELEGATION HERE TODAY.
WHEN I ASKED IF THEY WOULD COME, THEY SAID YES, BECAUSE,
OUR RELIGION MIRRORS THAT OF DR. KING.
SO HERE THEY ARE.
WOULD YOU PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING HAR WELCOMING
HARJINDER SINGH, A PRIEST, SURJIT SINGH, A PRIEST,
BALHAIR DID YOU LAY, PRESIDENT, WITH MEMBERS DHARMENDER SINGH
AND NIRMAL KAUR SINGH, PART OF THE SIKH TEMPLE OF WISCONSIN FOR
OUR INVOCATION.
PLEASE WELCOME THEM.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR INVITING US FROM THE SIKH TEMPLE OF WISCONSIN TO
CELEBRATE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
'S BIRTHDAY.
WE HAVE A PRIEST HERE BY THE NAME OF HARJINDER SINGH,
AND HE WILL RECITE OUR PRAYER FROM THE SIKH RELIGION.
THANK YOU.
>> PLEASE ACCEPT MY GREETINGS.
[SPEAKING IN A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH]
>> SO NOW I WANT TO SHARE MY PRAYER,
SO PLEASE STAND UP EVERYONE FOR PRAYER.
IT IS AN HONOR AS SIKH AMERICAN TO SHARE PRAYER OF MY FAITH.
SIKHISM, THE LARGEST RELIGION IN THE WORLD,
TO TRIBUTE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
FIRST, MEDITATE UPON THE LORD AND THINK ABOUT [SPEAKING IN A
LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH].
THE HELPER OF HELPLESS, STRENGTH OF THEE, THE TRUE FATHER OF ALL,
WE OFFER THIS PRAYER.
HE SACRIFICED HIS LIFE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND NONVIOLENCE AND
PEACE.
HE ALSO SACRIFICED HIS LIFE FOR FREEDOM OF ALL RELIGION,
NONVIOLENCE AND PEACE.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
ALSO STRUGGLED AND SACRIFICED HIS LIFE FOR THE SAME
PRINCIPLES.
HE BLESSED US WITH LOVE AND PEACE.
PLEASE GIVE US SELF-CONFIDENCE, LOVE AND PEACE.
[RECITING PRAYER IN LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH]
>> WHICH MEANS WITH THE NAME OF GOD, WE PRAY
AND ASK THE ALL MIGHTY FOR
THE WELL-BEING OF ALL HUMANITY, PROSPERITY FOR EVERYONE IN THE
WORLDWIDE COMMUNITY, GLOBAL PEACE OF ENTIRE PLANET.
[SPEAKING IN A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH]
>> THANK YOU.
>> WELL, WE'VE GOT SOME MUSIC FOR YOU.
MAN, YOU ALL LOOK GOOD OVER THERE.
THEY ARE THE VICTORY TRAVELERS.
THEY JUST GOT OFF THE ROAD.
THEY HAD A CONCERT IN MISSISSIPPI YESTERDAY AND THEY
DROVE ALL THE WAY, DIDN'T STOP IN CHIC CHICAGO,
AND CAME ALL TY HERE TO BE PART OF TODAY'S CEREMONY.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH SLEEP YOU HAD, BUT WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE HERE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> JUST A LITTLE UP-TEMPO SONG.
IF YOU LIKE IT, JUST PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER LIKE THAT.
* SINCE HE CAME AND TOOK MY
LIFE, EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED *
* EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED
* YEAH, YEAH
* YEAH, LORD.
LORD *
* SINCE HE CAME AND TOOK MY
LIFE, EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED *
* EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED
* SINCE HE CAME AND TOOK MY
LIFE, EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED *
* I'M GLAD TO SAY SINCE HE CAME
AND TOOK MY LIFE *
* EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING HAS
CHANGED *
* O, YEAH, YEAH
* I'VE GOT A NEW WALK SINCE HE
CAME *
* I'VE GOT A NEW TALK SINCE HE
CAME *
* I GOT A NEW WAY OF LIVING
SINCE HE CAME *
* I GOT A NEW WAY OF GIVING
* SINCE HE CAME
* ONE MORE TIME
* I'VE GOT A NEW WALK
* SINCE HE CAME
* I'VE GOT A NEW TALK
* SINCE HE CAME
* I'VE GOT A NEW WAY OF LIVING
* SINCE HE CAME
* AND I'VE GOT A NEW WAY OF
BEING *
* SINCE HE CAME
* YEAH, CHANGE
* I LIKE A BIG CHANGE
* MY LIFE HAS BEEN CHANGED
* AND YOU'LL AGREE WITH ME
* JUST LIFT YOUR HAND IN THE AIR
AIR *
* AND SAY I KNOW I'VE BEEN
CHANGED *
* I KNOW I'VE BEEN CHANGED
* THE THINGS THAT I USED TO DO
* I JUST DON'T DO NO MORE
* THE PLACES THAT I USED TO GO
* I DON'T GO NO MORE
* I KNOW I'VE BEEN CHANGED
* I KNOW I BEEN CHANGED
*
* I KNOW I BEEN CHANGED
* I SEE IT, I KNOW I BEEN
CHANGED *
* ONE MORE TIME
*
* CAN I DO IT ONE MORE TIME
* I KNOW I BEEN CHANGED
* YEAH
* I KNOW I BEEN CHANGED
* CAN YOU AGREE WITH ME
* ONE MORE TIME
* HELP ME OUT
*
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> IT'S MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU
THE MILWAUKEE CHILDREN'S CHOIR.
THEY'VE BEEN DOING THIS SINCE 1994.
PLEASE WELCOME UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MARCOS MELENDEZ
THE MILWAUKEE CHILDREN'S CHOIR.
PLEASE GIVE THEM A BIG HAND.
[APPLAUSE]
* AIN'T GONNA LET NOBODY TURN ME
AROUND *
* TURN ME AROUND, TURN ME
AROUND *
* AIN'T GONNA LET NOBODY TURN ME
AROUND *
* I'M GONNA KEEP ON WALKIN',
KEEP ON TALKIN' *
* MARCHIN' UP TO FREEDOM LAND
* AIN'T GONNA LET NOBODY TURN ME
AROUND *
* TURN ME AROUND, TURN ME
AROUND *
* AIN'T GONNA LET NOBODY TURN ME
AROUND *
* I'M GONNA KEEP ON WALKIN',
KEEP ON TALKIN' *
* MARCHIN' UP TO FREEDOM LAND
* THERE ARE WORDS LIKE
"FREEDOM" *
* SWEET AND WONDERFUL TO SAY
* ON MY HEARTSTRINGS FREEDOM
SINGS *
* ALL DAY EVERY DAY
* AIN'T GONNA LET NOBODY TURN ME
AROUND *
* TURN ME AROUND, TURN ME
AROUND *
* AIN'T GONNA LET NOBODY TURN ME
AROUND *
* I'M GONNA KEEP ON WALKIN',
KEEP ON SHOUTIN' *
KEEP ON TALKIN' *
* MARCHIN' UP TO FREEDOM LAND
* THERE ARE WORDS LIKE
"LIBERTY" *
* THAT ALMOST MAKE ME CRY
* IF YOU HAD KNOWN WHAT I KNOW
YOU WOULD KNOW WHY *
*
* I CANNOT TURN AROUND *
* NO, I CANNOT TURN AROUND
* AIN'T GONNA LET NOBODY TURN ME
TURN ME, TURN ME AROUND *
* AIN'T GONNA LET NOBODY TURN ME
* I'M GONNA KEEP ON WALKIN',
KEEP ON TALKIN' *
* KEEP ON SINGIN'
* KEEP ON SHOUTIN'
* MARCHIN' UP TO FREEDOM LAND
* FREEDOM
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> AND NOW IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO INTRODUCE
TO YOU THE 2018 MLK HERITAGE AWARD RECIPIENTS.
TO THE ORGANIZATION "100 BLACK MEN OF MADISON,"
" WHO SEEKS TO SERVE AS A BEACON OF LEADERSHIP BY UTILIZING THEIR
DIVERSE TALENTS TO CREATE ENVIRONMENTS WHERE BLACK
CHILDREN ARE MOTIVATED TO ACHIEVE AND EMPOWER
AFRICAN-AMERICANS TO BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT STAKEHOLDERS IN
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL FABRIC OF THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE.
WITH A COMMITMENT TO THE INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT OF
YOUTH BASED ON RESPECT FOR FAMILY, SPIRITUALITY,
JUSTICE AND INTEGRITY.
ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF THE STATE OF
WISCONSIN, 100 BLACK MEN OF MADISON IS THE RECIPIENT OF THE
2018 MLK HERITAGE AWARD.
HERE TO ACCEPT THE AWARD IS DR. FLOYD ROSE.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
[STANDING OVATION]
>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR KLEEFISCH, SECRETARY ALLEN,
ON -- DR. OVERBY AND DISTINGUISHED GUESTS AND
ATTENDEES, ON BEHALF OF THE 100 MEN OF MADISON,
THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE, THANK YOU.
WE ARE INDEED HUMBLED BY THE BESTOWAL OF THIS RECOGNITION.
TODAY WE HONOR DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
, A MAN WHOSE LEADERSHIP RESHAPED OUR NATION'S
CONSCIOUSNESS AND WHOSE LEGACY CHALLENGES ALL TO PURSUE
JUSTICE, EQUALITY AND PEACE.
HOPEFULLY, THIS GATHERING WILL INSPIRE US TO REDEDICATE OUR
ACTIONS TO ACHIEVE THOSE IDEALS.
AGAIN, THANK YOU, AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO GUIDE YOUR STEPS.
[APPLAUSE]
>> COME ON.
GIVE THEM A BIG HAND.
100 BLACK MEN OF MADISON.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> WELL-DESERVED.
VERY WELL-DESERVED.
THANK YOU, DR. ROSE.
I'M GOING TO TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, BROOKS BROTHERS AIN'T GOT
ANYTHING ON YOU FELLOWS OVER THERE.
I WANT TO TELL YOU RIGHT NOW.
OUR GUEST TODAY, OUR GUEST SPEAKER,
HAS DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO HELPING OTHERS NAVIGATE THEIR
WAY THROUGH PAINFUL EXPERIENCES, AND HE'S DONE SO BY CONNECTING
PEOPLE WITH THEIR PURPOSE.
ORIGINALLY FROM MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN,
HE WAS BORN THERE AND RAISED IN THE INFAMOUS 53206,
SAME AREA I GREW UP IN IN MILWAUKEE,
THE MOST INCARCERATED ZIP CODE IN AMERICA.
DESPITE THE FACT THAT MANY OF HIS CHILDHOOD PEERS FELL PREY TO
HOMICIDE AND INCARCERATION, HE MANAGED TO SURVIVE THE PITFALLS
OF INNER CITY LIFE AND ULTIMATELY ACHIEVED AN IMPORTANT
GOAL: GRADUATING FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF
WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE WITH A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN EDUCATIONAL
POLICIES AND COMMUNITY STUDIES.
THERE AT UW-MILWAUKEE HE DISCOVERED HIS PASSION FOR USING
HIS VOICE TO GIVE HOPE TO THE HOPELESS CHILDREN OF THE GHETTO,
NEVER FORGETTING THAT THE MANY THAT WERE NOT AFFORDED THE SAME
OPPORTUNITIES AS HE.
FOLLOWING THE TRAGIC MURDER OF HIS GODSON,
HE CO-FOUNDED THE "FLOOD THE HOOD WITH DREAMS" ORGANIZATION
AND CO-FOUNDED "I WILL NOT DIE YOUNG" CAMPAIGN.
WITH A MISSION ROOTED IN THE PROMISE THAT HE GAVE HIS GODSON
UPON HIS DEATH, THAT HIS DEATH WOULD NOT BE IN VAIN.
PLEASE WELCOME OUR GUEST SPEAKER, MUHIBB DYER.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MY NAME IS MUHIBB DYER.
I REPRESENT AN ORGANIZATION OUT OF MILWAUKEE,
WISCONSIN CALLED "FLOOD THE HOOD WITH DREAMS" AND THE "I WILL NOT
DIE YOUNG" CAMPAIGN.
WHY DO WE CALL OUR ORGANIZATION "FLOOD THE HOOD WITH DREAMS"?
WELL, ABOUT 13 YEARS AGO WE STARTED GOING TO SCHOOLS ASKING
YOUNG KIDS THE QUESTION, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
AND THEY WOULD ALL GIVE US THE POLITICALLY CORRECT ANSWER.
THEY WOULD RAISE THEIR HAND.
THEY WOULD SAY, I WANT TO BE A DOCTOR.
I WANT TO BE A LAWYER.
I WANT TO BE A BUSINESSMAN OR BUSINESS WOMAN.
I WANT TO OWN A FORTUNE 500 COMPANY.
I WANT TO RULE THE WORLD.
AND THEN THERE WOULD BE ONE KID IN THE BACK OF ROOM NOT PAYING
ATTENTION THROWING SPITBALL SAYS.
I'D SAY YOUNG MAN, WHAT YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
I SAY, REALLY, YOUNG MAN, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW
UP?
AND HE'LL LOOK ME DEAD IN THE EYE AND, EXCUSE MY LANGUAGE,
HE WOULD SAY DON'T COME AROUND HERE TALKING ABOUT NO DREAM,
BECAUSE WHERE I COME FROM WE DON'T MAKE IT PAST THE AGE OF
21.
AND WHERE I COME FROM I WAS WALKING DOWN THE STREET AND I
SAW MY FRIEND GET SHOT IN THE HEAD AND THE HOOD TOLD ME I
BETTER NOT TELL.
WE AIN'T SEEN OUR DADDIES ONE DAY IN MY LIFE.
MY LITTLE SISTER GOT MOLESTED BY MY AUNTIE'S BOYFRIEND.
AND GUESS WHAT?
SHE DIDN'T TELL ANYBODY.
GUESS WHY?
THEY SAID SHE WAS TOO FAST AND DESERVED IT ANYWAY.
SO WE STARTED CALLING OUR ORGANIZATION "FLOOD THE HOOD
WITH DREAMS" BECAUSE WE BELIEVE LIKE THE GREAT DR. KING THAT ALL
GOD'S CHILDREN, EVEN THE KIDS WHO COME FROM STREETS IN
MILWAUKEE LIKE BURLEIGH, GARFIELD, GALENA, VINE, CENTER,
HOUGHTON AND BUFFUM, THE SO-CALLED THROW-AWAY CHILDREN OF
THE STATE, THEY DESERVE A DREAM TOO.
IF YOU BELIEVE LIKE I BELIEVE, CLAP YOUR HANDS AND MAKE SOME
NOISE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> NOW, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, DR. KING WAS A BLACK PREACHER.
AND IN THE BLACK CHURCH THEY HAVE A TRADITION CALLED
"THE RESPONSE. "
AND THAT TRADITION IS MEANT TO RAISE THE SPIRIT OF THE ROOM.
SO LET'S RAISE THE SPIRIT OF THE ROOM
IN THE GREAT DOCTOR'S HONOR.
IF YOU'RE GLAD YOU WOKE UP THIS MORNING, SAY YES.
>> YES!
>> IF YOU KNOW THERE'S A GOD INSIDE YOU, SAY YES.
>> YES!
>> IF YOU'RE TIRED OF THE RICH GETTING RICHER AND THE POOR
GETTING POORER, SAY YES.
>> YES!
>> YOU GOT TO DO BETTER THAN THAT.
IF YOU KNOW WE ARE THE ONES YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN WAITING FOR,
SAY YES.
YES!
>> IF YOU KNOW DR. KING'S DREAM IS STILL ALIVE, SAY YES.
>> YES!
>> YOU WANT ME TO GO DEEPER, SAY DEEPER.
>> DEEPER.
>> YOU WANT ME TO GO HIGHER, SAY HIGHER.
>> HIGHER.
>> WHEN I SAY LOVE, YOU SAY LIFE.
>> LOVE.
>> LIFE.
>> LOVE.
>> WHEN I SAY FREEDOM, YOU SAY FREEDOM.
>> FREEDOM.
>> CLAP YOUR HANDS AND MAKE SOME NOISE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
[APPLAUSE]
>> IF DR. KING WERE HERE TODAY, HE WOULD SAY IT'S A BEAUTIFUL
DAY REGARDLESS OF THE INCLEMENT WEATHER.
AND HE PROBABLY WOULD BE SO HAPPY THAT HE HAS A HOLIDAY,
A NATIONAL HOLIDAY IN HIS NAME.
CLAP YOUR HANDS AND MAKE IN NOISE FOR THAT,
BECAUSE HE DESERVES IT.
[APPLAUSE]
>> HE WOULD BE HONORED THAT ALL OF YOU GOOD PEOPLE WEATHERED THE
STORM AND YOU CAME HERE TODAY.
HE MAYBE WOULD BE SO IMPRESSED BY THE CHOIR, BY THE SINGING,
BY THE STATESMEN, BY THE DIGNITARIES.
BUT HIM, BEING THE MAN THAT WAS GIVEN THE PURPOSE OF CHALLENGING
OUR CONSCIOUSNESS, HE MAY SAY IT IS EASY TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF
A DEAD MAN.
MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO LIVE BY THE PRINCIPLES HE ESPOUSED.
DO YOU REALLY REMEMBER ME?
'CAUSE IF YOU REALLY REMEMBERED ME,
IT WOULDN'T BE SO EASY FOR YOU TO FORGET ABOUT THE CHILDREN OF
53206.
THE MOST INCARCERATED ZIP CODE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
MY HOMETOWN.
AND IF YOU REALLY REMEMBERED ME, YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND THAT THERE
WAS A LITTLE BLACK BOY THAT IS THERE LIVING IN A DELAPIDATED
BUILDING THAT REALLY WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT MY DREAM,
BUT THE JAIL CELL KEEPS DROWNING IT OUT.
AND THE JAIL SAYS WEAR MY SUIT, AND THE LITTLE BOY SAYS NO.
'CAUSE MY MAMA SAID IF I GO TO SCHOOL AND I GET AN EDUCATION,
I CAN BEAT YOU.
JAIL CELL SAYS YOU CAN'T BEAT ME.
YOU'RE GOING TO BE JUST LIKE YOUR NO-GOOD DADDY.
YOU GOING TO BE LIKE EVERYBODY WHO LOOK LIKE YOU,
TALK LIKE YOU, GREW UP IN THE SAME NEIGHBOR AS YOU.
THIS IS WHERE YOU BELONG.
WHAT, YOU WANT TO BE A DOCTOR?
NO.
THAT'S FOR WHITE PEOPLE.
YOU WANT TO BE A LAWYER?
YOU WANT TO BE A BUSINESSMAN?
YOU WANT TO OWN A FORTUNE 500 COMPANY?
NO.
THAT'S FOR THE SMART PEOPLE OF THE WORLD.
AND EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT LITTLE BLACK BOYS AREN'T SMART.
SO HE WILL PUT THIS SUIT ON AND HE WILL SAY I WILL WEAR YOUR
SUIT BECAUSE, AFTER ALL, WHAT ELSE DO I HAVE TO LIVE FOR?
AND IMAGINE THE LITTLE BOY LOOKING UP TO THE HEAVENS AND
CURSING GOD, MAYBE, BECAUSE HE KNOWS THAT 50 YEARS AFTER THE
DEMISE OF THE GREAT DR. KING HE IS STILL NOT AFFORDED THE RIGHT
AS SOME OF HIS WHITE COUNTERPARTS.
[APPLAUSE]
>> AND THE BOY LOOKS UP TO THE HEAVENS,
AND HE SCREAMS EMPHATICALLY, IT'S LIKE I'M SITTING IN THE
JAIL CELL, LORD.
SOMEBODY REMEMBER ME.
IT'S LIKE I'M SITTING IN THE JAIL CELL, LORD,
SOMEBODY LISTEN TO ME.
IT'S LIKE I'M SITTING IN THE JAIL CELL, LORD,
WAITING ON DEATH ROW, COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS,
'CAUSE I KNOW THEY COMING.
THEY ALL COMING.
AND IT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE THIS.
YOU SEE, LORD, THEY NEVER TOLD ME THAT THE DREAM WAS IN ME.
THEY NEVER TOLD ME THAT YOU WAS ALWAYS THERE.
SO IN TURN I BELIEVED WHAT I SAW.
AND WHAT I SAW WAS A DADDY THAT WAS NEVER AROUND AND A MOMMA
THAT WAS ALWAYS CRYING 'CAUSE WE WERE ALWAYS BROKE WHEN THERE WAS
MONEY OUTSIDE.
AND RATS AND ROACHES AND MATTRESSES WE SLEPT ON AND
TEACHERS THAT TOLD ME I HAD TO WAIT 12 YEARS TO GET PAID.
YOU SEE, MY TEACHERS TOLD ME I HAD TO WAIT 12 YEARS TO GET PAID
WHILE SOME OF THEM GOT PAID OFF OF ME RIGHT NOW WHETHER I
LEARNED OR NOT WHEN THERE WAS MONEY OUTSIDE.
AND WHAT ELSE WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO?
GOD, THEY NEVER TOLD ME THE DREAM WAS IN ME.
THEY NEVER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS ALWAYS HERE.
AND IF DR. KING WAS HERE TODAY, HE MAY SAY HOW CAN YOU SAY YOU
SAY YOU REALLY REMEMBER ME, WHEN THE REASON WHY GOD CREATED ME IN
THE FIRST PLACE WAS FOR THE POOR, WAS FOR THE OPPRESSED,
WAS FOR THE VICTIMIZED, WAS FOR THE CHILDREN OF 53206.
NEVER SAY YOU REMEMBER ME UNLESS YOU REMEMBER THEM.
CLAP YOUR HANDS AND MAKE SOME NOISE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> AND IF DR. KING WAS HERE TODAY, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
HE MAY LOOK OVER THE WHOLE UNITED STATES AND HE WOULD BE SO
PROUD THAT 900 STREETS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ARE
NAMED AFTER HIM.
AND HE WOULD BE PROUD THAT MAYBE WE BUILT A BIG STATUTE
IN THE MALL IN D. C.
IN HIS HONOR.
BUT HIM BEING A SPECIAL MAN, A MAN OF CONSCIENCE,
MAYBE HE WOULD STILL SAY DO YOU REALLY REMEMBER ME?
YOU SEE, IT IS EASY TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF A DEAD MAN.
MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO LIVE BY THE PRINCIPLES HE ESPOUSED.
DO YOU REMEMBER ME?
[APPLAUSE]
>> 'CAUSE IF YOU REALLY REMEMBER ME,
YOU WILL REALIZE THAT SAYING THE "I HAVE A DREAM" SPEECH IS EASY.
SAYING THE PART ABOUT THE LITTLE BLACK GIRLS AND THE LITTLE BLACK
BOYS AND THE LITTLE WHITE BOYS AND THE LITTLE WHITE GIRLS IS
EASY.
LITTLE BLACK GIRLS AND LITTLE BLACK BOYS JOINING HANDS IN
SISTER AND BROTHERHOOD.
BUT HOW CAN THEY REALLY JOIN HANDS IN SISTER AND BROTHERHOOD,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WHEN THEY ARE LETTING GO OF THE HAND OF
LIFE RIGHT HERE IN WISCONSIN EVERY DAY?
WHEN LITTLE WHITE BOYS AND LITTLE WHITE GIRLS IN THE
NORTHERN PART OF THE STATE ARE DYING OF AN OPIOID ADDICTION AND
LITTLE BLACK BOYS AND LITTLE BLACK GIRLS IN THE SOUTHEASTERN
PART OF THE STATE ARE DYING IN THE HAIL OF BULLET FIRE.
MAYBE DR. KING WOULD SAY HOW DID YOU FORGET ABOUT THE CHILDREN?
AND WHAT MADE YOU FORGET ABOUT THE CHILDREN?
WHAT MADE US CREATE A WORLD WHERE INSTEAD OF THE CHILDREN
RUNNING TOWARDS DREAMS, HOPES, ASPIRATIONS,
THEY RUNNING TOWARDS THE CASKET.
YOU SAY YOU REMEMBER ME?
NO, YOU'VE FORGOTTEN ALL ABOUT ME.
WHY HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN ABOUT ME?
WAS IT THE POWER?
WAS IT THE PRESTIGE?
WAS IT THE TITLES?
WAS IT TRYING TO BE A BIG MAN OR A BIG WOMAN?
OR WAS IT THE MONEY?
YEAH, MAYBE IT WAS THE MONEY.
MAYBE DR. KING SAY YOU FORGOT ABOUT EVEN GOD AND YOU WORSHIP
MONEY.
YOU SAY, PLEASE, LORD, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, GOD,
NEVER LEAVE ME, BLESS ME WITH YOUR CARS AND CLOTHES AND
DIAMOND RINGS.
LORD, MONEY, NEVER LEAVE ME.
IF DR. KING WAS HERE, HE'D SAY YOU DON'T REMEMBER ME BECAUSE
YOU FORGOT ABOUT THE CHILDREN.
YOU DON'T REMEMBER ME 'CAUSE YOU FORGOT ABOUT GOD HIMSELF.
BUT IF WE WANT TO DO BETTER THAN THAT,
CLAP YOUR HANDS AND MAKE SOME NOISE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> BUT IF DR. KING WAS HERE TODAY,
MAYBE HE WOULD SAY TO HIMSELF, BEING SO THANKFUL THAT THERE ARE
THOUSANDS OF BOOKS TODAY THAT ARE WRITTEN IN HIS NAME.
CLAP YOUR HANDS FOR THAT.
[APPLAUSE]
>> AND MAYBE THE GREAT KING WOULD BE SO HONORED THAT SO MANY
SCHOOLS BEAR HIS NAME.
BUT HIM BEING A SPECIAL MAN WITH A SPECIAL PURPOSE,
HE WOULD STILL QUESTION US.
HE WOULD SAY, IT IS EASY TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF A DEAD
MAN.
SO, SO MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO LIVE BY THE PRINCIPLES HE
ESPOUSED.
DO YOU REALLY REMEMBER ME?
DO YOU REMEMBER MY SACRIFICE?
DO YOU REMEMBER THE WATER HOSES?
DO YOU REMEMBER THE JAIL TIME?
DO YOU REMEMBER HOW THE FBI HAD ME UNDER SURVEILLANCE?
DO YOU REALLY REMEMBER HOW MY HOUSE WAS FIRE BOMBED?
DO YOU REMEMBER?
DO YOU REMEMBER THAT I WAS STABBED IN THE CHEST AND THEY
SAID I CAME A COUGH AWAY FROM MY DEATH?
DO YOU REMEMBER THE LORRAINE MOTEL?
DO YOU REMEMBER THAT SNIPER?
DO YOU REMEMBER HOW I TOOK THE BULLET TO SAVE THE SOUL OF
AMERICA?
DO YOU REMEMBER?
[APPLAUSE]
>> DO YOU REMEMBER?
DO YOU REMEMBER?
DID YOU EVER THINK ABOUT WHAT I REALLY GAVE UP?
I NEVER GOT A CHANCE TO SEE MY KIDS GROW UP.
I NEVER GOT A CHANCE TO WALK MY DAUGHTER DOWN THE AISLE.
THE LAST 40 YEARS OF MY WIFE'S LIFE I WAS NOT THERE TO HOLD HER
IN MY ARMS.
DO YOU REALLY REMEMBER ME?
'CAUSE IF YOU REMEMBER ME, THEN HOW COULD YOU BE SO OFFENDED BY
A FOOTBALL PLAYER TODAY KNEELING IN THE PROTEST?
[APPLAUSE]
>> IF YOU REMEMBER ME, THAT'S A BABY PROTEST.
THAT'S A BABY PROTEST IN TERMS OF WHO I REALLY WAS.
IF YOU REALLY REMEMBERED ME, HOW COULD YOU BE SO OFFENDED WHEN A
YOUNG ACTIVIST SAYS THAT BLACK LIVES MATTER 'CAUSE THE VERY
REASON YOU HERE TODAY IS TO HONOR A BLACK LIFE THAT
MATTERED?
[APPLAUSE]
>> AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE LADDER, THE LADDER THAT WAS ME,
THE PROTONS, THE NEUTRONS, THE ELECTRONS, THE 46 CHROMOSOMES,
THE 100 MILLION BRAIN CELLS, THAT WAS ONCE ME.
YOU ARE SAYING TODAY THAT IT WAS GREAT AND THAT SAME GREATNESS IS
IN YOU AND IS IN YOU AND IS IN YOU, REGARDLESS OF YOUR RACE,
YOUR CREED, YOUR COLOR.
AND THAT'S WHAT I REALLY MEANT WHEN I SAID WE WANT TO SPEED UP
THE DAY WHEN ALL GOD'S CHILDREN, BLACKS AND WHITES AND JEWS,
GENTILES, PROTESTANTS, CATHOLICS AND MUSLIMS.
IF HE WAS HERE, HE PROBABLY WOULD EVEN SAY MUSLIMS AND SIKHS
WOULD ALL JOIN HANDS AND SING IN THE WORDS OF THAT WHOLE NEGRO
SPIRITUAL.
DO YOU REMEMBER ME?
DO YOU REMEMBER THE GREAT KING?
BECAUSE IF YOU REMEMBERED THE GREAT KING, THEN MAYBE,
JUST MAYBE, TAKE A FEW WORDS OF ADVICE FROM A DEAD MAN.
YOU SEE, THERE WAS THE STORY OF THESE TWO BROTHERS.
THE TWO BROTHERS LIVED SIDE BY SIDE FOR 40 YEARS.
JUST LIKE SOME BROTHERS SOMETIMES,
THEY FALL OUT AND THEY HAVE A DISAGREEMENT.
ONE DAY, A CARPENTER KNOCKED ON THE DOOR OF ONE OF THE BROTHERS.
THE BROTHER LET HIM IN.
THE CARPENTER ASKED FOR SOME WORK.
THE BROTHER SAID SURE.
I HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOU TO DO.
BUILD ME A GREAT, BIG, OLD FENCE.
I DON'T WANT TO EVER SEE MY BROTHER AGAIN IN MY LIFE.
I DON'T CARE IF HE DIES.
I'M NOT GOING TO HIS FUNERAL.
I HATE MY BROTHER.
CAN YOU DO THAT FOR ME?
AND THE CARPENTER SAID, SURE, I CAN.
I GOT SOMETHING FOR YOU.
SO THE BROTHER WENT TO TOWN.
MUCH TO HIS SURPRISE, WHEN HE GOT BACK,
THE CARPENTER DIDN'T BUILD A FENCE AT ALL,
BUT HE BUILT A BRIDGE THAT WAS BETWEEN THE PROPERTY OF THE TWO
BROTHERS.
BEFORE HE COULD GIVE THAT CARPENTER A PIECE OF HIS MIND,
HIS BROTHER WAS ALREADY RUNNING ACROSS THE BRIDGE SAYING, OH,
MY BROTHER, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.
YOU SEE, I WOULD HAVE BUILT A FENCE MYSELF.
BUT THAT'S WHY YOU SO BLESSED.
YOU'RE SO FORGIVEN.
YOU'RE SO CARING, AND I LOVE YOU.
SO AS THE CARPENTER WAS PACKING UP HIS TOOLS,
THE BROTHERS LOOKED OVER TO THE SIDE AND THEY SAW HE WAS LEAVING
AND THEY SAID, PLEASE, DON'T GO, WE WANT TO PUT SOME MORE MONEY
IN YOUR POCKET.
THE CARPENTER SAID, I'M SORRY, BROTHERS,
I HAVE MORE BRIDGES TO BUILD.
IF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
WERE HERE TODAY, HE WOULD ASK YOU ARE YOU A BRIDGE-BUILDER OR
YOU ABOUT SETTING UP FENCES?
[APPLAUSE]
>> HE WOULD ASK POLITICALLY HERE AND ALL OVER THE COUNTRY,
ARE WE BUILDING BRIDGES OR ARE WE BUILDING FENCES?
ARE WE JUST TRYING TO COLOR THE STAGE RED OR BLUE,
OR ARE WE WORKING TOGETHER?
CLAP YOUR HANDS AND MAKE SOME NOISE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> IF HE WAS HERE TODAY, DR. KING WOULD SAY I BE BUILDING
BRIDGES BETWEEN THE RACES.
I BE BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE SUBURBS.
I'LL BE BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN THE TOP HALF OF THE STATE AND
THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE STATE.
YOU SEE, IF DR. KING WAS HERE TODAY,
HE WOULD SAY IT IS EASY TO CELEBRATE A DEAD MAN.
MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO LIVE BY THE PRINCIPLES HE ESPOUSED.
DO YOU REALLY REMEMBER ME?
'CAUSE IF YOU REMEMBER ME, IF YOU REMEMBER ME,
UNDERSTAND THAT "I HAVE A DREAM" WAS NEVER INTENDED TO BE A
SPEECH.
IT WAS INTENDED TO BE A WAY OF LIFE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THE BATON IS PASSED TO YOU.
TAKE THAT BATON AND LIVE IT OUT.
THEN AND ONLY THEN WILL MY WORDS "FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST,
THANK GOD ALL MIGHTY WE ARE FREE AT LAST" NOT BE A SPEECH,
BUT REALITY.
DO WE REMEMBER HIM?
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
[STANDING OVATION]
>> OKAY. I'M DONE.
MUHIBB DYER.
GIVE HIM ANOTHER ROUND WARM OF APPLAUSE.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> AND NOW TO SHARE AN EXCERPT OF DR. KING'S 1963 SPEECH
"I HAVE A DREAM," HERE IS JALEN MCCULLOUGH,
FIRST-YEAR STUDENT AT MATC.
[APPLAUSE]
>> AND SO EVEN WE FACE THE DIFFICULTIES OF TODAY AND
TOMORROW, I STILL HAVE A DREAM.
IT IS A DREAM 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 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 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 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 STRAIGHT, AND THE CROOKED PLACES AND THE CROOKED
PLACES WILL BE MADE STRAIGHT, AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHALL
BE REVEALED, AND ALL MEN, ALL 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 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 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 BECOME 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 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 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,
EVERY STATE AND EVERY CITY, WE WILL BE ABLE TO SPEED UP THE DAY
WHEN ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN, BLACK MEN AND WHITE MEN,
JEWS AND GENTILES, PROTESTANTS AND CATHOLICS,
WILL BE ABLE TO SING IN THE WORDS OF THE OLD NEGRO SPIRITUAL
"FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST, THANK GOD ALL MIGHTY WE ARE FREE
AT LAST"!
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
[STANDING OVATION]
>> JALEN MCCULLOUGH.
>> HERE TO PRESENT THE OFFICIAL STATE PROCLAMATION HONORING
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
IS REBECCA KLEEFISCH, THE 44TH LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF
WISCONSIN.
SHE WAS ELECTED TO THE POSITION ON NOVEMBER 2 OF 2010 AS THE
RUNNING MATE TO GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER.
PLEASE WELCOME HER TO THE PODIUM.
[APPLAUSE]
>> TODAY IS A SPECIAL DAY TO HONOR AN EXTRAORDINARY MAN.
DR. KING WAS A PATRIOT.
HE WAS A POET.
HE WAS A PIONEER.
BUT WE MUST NOT FORGET HE WAS A PASTOR.
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
LOVED THE LORD.
AND SO WHEN I REFLECT ON TODAY'S SPEECHES, ONE IN PARTICULAR,
I THINK TO MYSELF THAT ALL OF THE CHILDREN OF WISCONSIN WERE
CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD, AND IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DO
THE HARD THING, NOT JUST THE SIMPLE THING,
REMEMBERING A LEGACY OF HOLDING THOSE CHILDREN'S HANDS,
BUT THE HARD THING OF HOLDING ON TIGHT EVEN WHEN IT SEEMS THEY
WANT TO LET GO.
SO LET US RESOLVE TODAY, ON THIS 38TH CELEBRATION,
TO DO THE HARD THING AND TRULY HONOR THE LEGACY OF DR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING, JR.
WHEREAS, THIS IS THE OLDEST OFFICIAL STATE CEREMONY HONORING
DR. KING AND THE 38TH YEAR THAT THE STATE OF WISCONSIN HAS HELD
A COMMEMORATION IN DR. KING'S HONOR,
IN THE TRUE SPIRIT OF GOODWILL AND COMMUNITY BY LIVING THE
DREAM AND SERVING THE CAUSES OF EQUALITY, PEACE,
JUSTICE AND FREEDOM, AND THIS YEAR'S THEME IS "DO YOU
REMEMBER?
", NOW THEREFORE I, SCOTT WALKER,
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN,
DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 2018
AS THE REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
DAY THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF WISCONSIN,
AND I COMMEND THIS OBSERVANCE TO ALL OF OUR CITIZENS.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR REBECCA KLEEFISCH.
AND NOW, AS IT HAS BEEN THE TRADITION,
WE PASS THIS OUT TO THE AUDIENCE,
AND FOR 37 YEARS IT HAS ALWAYS COME BACK.
SO WHO WOULD LIKE TO --
[APPLAUSE]
>> MAY I ASK YOUR NAME?
DIANE SMALL?
YOU'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR LIKE THREE OR FOUR YEARS,
HAVEN'T YOU?
ALL RIGHT.
WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU A RESERVE NEXT TIME IN THE
AUDIENCE.
SO YOU CAN JUST BE READY.
ALL RIGHT.
THERE IT GOES.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR KLEEFISCH.
>> EVERYONE, THAT CONCLUDES THIS ANNUAL TRIBUTE AND CEREMONY
HONORING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE,
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR REBECCA KLEEFISCH AND ALL WHO HELPED
MAKE THIS PROGRAM POSSIBLE, INCLUDING THE LATE REVEREND
VERNON VISICK, THANK YOU.
I'M JONATHAN OVERBY.
AND MAY YOUR WEEK BE FILLED WITH PEACE AND HARMONY.
[APPLAUSE]
>> WELL, LET'S GO OUT WITH A CELEBRATION.
I WANT TO CELEBRATE.
LET'S GO!
* LONG AGO, I DIDN'T KNOW
ANYTHING *
* ABOUT MY JESUS
* YOU KNOW MY SOUL
* I ASKED MY MOTHER
* HOW COULD I KNOW THIS MAN
* SON, DON'T YOU SEE, YOU GOT TO
BE BORN AGAIN *
* YOU GOT TO BE BORN AGAIN
* O, YOU MUST HAVE THE FIRE OF
THE HOLY GHOST *
* BURNING FIRE
* O, YOU MUST HAVE THE FIRE OF
THE HOLY GHOST *
* BURNING FIRE
* KEEP THE FIRE