[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 6 (Tuesday, February 1, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E43-E44]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF THE MARTIN LUTHER KING'S DAY PROGRAM CAMP LeJEUNE, NC

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EVA M. CLAYTON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 1, 2000

  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, January 15, 2000, some 71 
years to the date that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was born, a special 
program was held in his honor. This program deserves to be acknowledged 
because it reflected the true meaning of what Dr. King stood and fought 
for throughout his life.
  The Program was the 13th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Black and 
White Scholarship Ball, held at the Marine Corps Base in Camp LeJeune, 
NC. The Ball was sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Montford 
Point Marine Association, whose President is Mrs. Louise Greggs. More 
than a thousand persons attended this event, which included an 
impressive blend of military and civilian citizens. The evening 
included dinner, speeches, top level entertainment and dancing. It was, 
by all accounts, a delightful evening.
  But, more importantly and of greater relevance, the event raised a 
significant amount of money to be used for scholarships for young 
people. To that end, Dr. King's words were given new meaning and new 
life.
  In order to benefit from the guidance of those with wisdom like Dr. 
King, we must not only hear what they say, we must also do what they 
mean for us to do.
  History is the recording of important events, a pattern of timeless 
moments. History provides a looking glass to the past through which we 
can learn and benefit.
  The history of Dr. King is perhaps best captured in his own words. If 
we are to learn from the history of Dr. King's life and untimely death, 
we must not only consider what he said, we must also do what he meant 
for us to do.
  In accepting the Nobel Peace Prize, on December 11, 1964, he stated, 
``Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects 
revenge, aggression and retaliation.'' And, Dr. King in that same 
speech concluded, ``The foundation of such a method is love.'' That is 
what he said.
  Dr. King dreamed of an America where all would be judged by the 
content of their character rather than the color of their skin. That is 
what we all want.
  By holding the Black and White Scholarship Ball, the Montford Point 
Marine Association Ladies Auxiliary did what Dr. King said to do.
  The Members of that Organization listened, heard, and responded 
accordingly.
  While such an event required the tireless efforts of many, there are 
two who deserve our

[[Page E44]]

applause and special recognition. Mrs. Jacqueline Barton, the Ball 
Chairperson and Mrs. Cushmeer Singleton, the Co-Chair went above and 
beyond the call of duty in planning, preparing, organizing and 
executing the Scholarship Ball. I am told it was the most successful 
ever.
  Much of our hope for the future is engendered by Dr. King's glorious 
past. Recall what he told us.

       When we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from 
     every village and every hamlet, from every state and every 
     city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's 
     children, black men and white men, Jews and 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.''

  In these very troubling times for our youth, freedom is ringing for 
some of our young people because of the work of the Montford Point 
Marine Association Chapter 10 and Ladies Auxiliary and because of the 
efforts of Mrs. Jacqueline Barton and Mrs. Cushmeer Singleton.

                          ____________________