[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28471]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. PARADE AND SCHOLARSHIP 
                               COMMITTEE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ALBIO SIRES

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 25, 2007

  Mr. SIRES. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of the Dr. Martin Luther 
King, Jr. Parade and Scholarship Committee on their 20th Anniversary. 
The Committee has fulfilled its mission to honor the memory of civil 
rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and kept his legacy alive by 
providing scholarships to deserving students.
  The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Scholarship Committee was 
founded in 1987 by James Caldwell, Herb Champion and the late Tony 
Filmore. Their enthusiasm allowed them to be able to organize their 
first march in honor of Dr. King in January of 1988. Year after year, 
the event has been successful in bringing together the African-American 
community, as well as in promoting the values that Dr. King taught us 
all: respect, inclusion and dignity. Today, 16 members work tirelessly 
to put together a spectacular parade that has become a tradition in our 
congressional district.
  In August of 1990, the members of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 
Parade Committee expanded their mission by creating a scholarship that 
would help outstanding students achieve their educational goals. Since 
then, twenty-four students have received yearly scholarships over four-
year periods, recognizing the achievements of five college-bound high 
school seniors each year and giving them the opportunity for a better 
future.
  Please join me in congratulating the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 
Parade and Scholarship Committee on their 20th Anniversary. I wish them 
continued success and hope they continue to instill the teachings of 
Dr. King in our youth who are the future of the 13th Congressional 
District.

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