Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On Monday we will celebrate a holiday honoring a great American, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I was seven when Dr. King was assassinated, old enough to comprehend, but not old enough to really appreciate the significance of this great man and his contribution to our county.

I had the honor of meeting Coretta Scott King on June 14, 1981 at a charity event. She was a gracious and refined lady and I spent several minutes chatting with her. I remember saying that there should be a National Holiday honoring her late husband. She smiled and said, “Maybe someday”. Two years later it was signed into law.

There are many wonderful books honoring Dr. King. My two favorites for children are Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport and Bryan Collier and Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr. by Bonnie Bader and Nancy Harrison.

Let’s all take a few moments this Monday to remember Dr. King and his dream for America and the American people.

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically... Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.