Take a Journey Through Christmas Wonderland in Alton Grandpa Gang...
Read More
Large Crowd at Hazelwood’s MLK Program Wowed by Speakers, Singers
BY JEANETTE EBERLIN-RIZZELLO
Hazelwood’s 7th annual program honoring Dr. Martin Luther King last Sunday drew a large crowd, distinguished speakers, and wowed the audience with musical entertainment.
Mayor T. R. Carr opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and saying “This is the evening to reflect on and to honor the impact of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King. The very fabric of American life was changed by the work of Dr. King.”
Carr then gave an impressive history of how American society has changed since the death of Dr. King in 1968.
He introduced the guest speakers: keynote speaker Lynne Beckwith Jr. endowed Professor of Urban Education at University of Missouri at St. Louis; Constance Gully, Mssouri Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Commssion; Margo McNeil, Missouri State Representative and Jane Cunningham Missouri State Senator.
Ms. Gully told everyone that the state of Missouri has the second largest Dr. King celebration in the country, and now there is the first African American president.
“We appreciate that Dr. King put himself in danger. Do your part to remember the dream.”
Dr. Beckworth said that Dr. King was wise beyond his years and had won the Nobel Peace Prize. ” His legacy didn’t die with him, his spirit lived on. He would have been 80 years old this week. “Dr. King believed in the words of the song ‘Amazlng Grace’ they described his attitude and outlook on life.
“Practice the golden rule, stand up for justice and the children are our future,” he concluded.
The audience sat in awed silence as the Rev. Jean Gatewood sang three beautiful songs aimed as tribute to Dr. King. Things lightened up when the Lamar Harris Jazz Band began playing and the audience was urged to clap hands and dance to the cheery, exciting music.
Mayor Carr thanked Hazelwood’s Community Enrichment Commission and city staff for their work in hosting the program and especially organizers Ethel Hughes and Florence Gillespie.
The program closed with an impressive somber tribute – Mayor Carr instructs everyone to hold up a lit candle in honor of Dr. King. “As we close this ceremony we should reflect on the writings of Dr. King and in scripture that guided his world view such as ‘We must keep God in the forefront, let us be Christians in all our actions,’ quoted Mayor Carr as the program ended.
–
