Speeches

Continuing King's Dream at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner

I am pleased to again welcome everyone to this banquet, an annual celebration that has continued at Penn State for nearly three decades. That's quite an impressive record and strong testimony to the importance that our community places on this day and on honoring one of the world's best known advocates for freedom and social change.

Today is more than just the birthday of a man whose life was dedicated to fostering racial harmony. This is an evening that allows us to come together as a community, to reflect on Martin Luther King Jr.'s powerful message of unity, to embrace our differences, and to find our commonalities. This event should remind each one of us of the continuing need for strong voices to speak out against injustices wherever we see them. It should rekindle our sense of urgency for transforming our communities and indeed our nation, into a place where all people are respected. This evening should reaffirm the critical role we each must play in finding lasting solutions to the problems of racism, hate, and prejudice.

The theme of this year's event -- "We Won't Stop Here -- Continuing King's Dream" -- should compel us to ask ourselves if we are really living the life Dr. King envisioned and if we fully embrace his dream beyond one night a year.

As most of you know, this theme was drawn from a speech Martin Luther King gave on April 3, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee -- one day before he was assassinated. What has come to be known as King's "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech, was delivered in support of striking sanitation workers, mostly black, who were being treated unfairly and had experienced unsafe working conditions.

In that talk, Dr. King spoke not only about equity for the city's sanitation workers, he also talked of the injustices against all people that must be halted and his dreams for a world where everyone is free. Free to speak their thoughts, to practice their own religion, to pursue an education, to walk the streets without fear.

He spoke of unity and he spoke of peace. Through his words, he asked that we "stand with greater determination," and "give ourselves to this struggle until the end."

I feel fortunate to live in this community -- a community determined to push forward Dr. King's unfinished agenda. There are so many people in this room who have committed themselves, as Martin Luther King Jr. did, to being a "drum major for justice, a drum major for peace, and a drum major for righteousness." It is my hope that everyone within our community -- not just those in this room -- will vigorously promote today and every day the ideals of justice, civility, and respect. Although it was 35 years ago that Dr. King challenged us with his words and deeds, more can and should be done to address the fundamental human issues in our world.

If we follow the teachings of Dr. King, we will, as he so prophetically said, reach the mountaintop to look down on the promised land of freedom -- together.

Have a wonderful evening.