PBS Wisconsin Public Affairs

[MUSIC] FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL PRODUCTION.

[MUSIC] >> I HAVE A DREAM.

THAT MY FOUR LITTLE CHILDREN WILL ONE DAY LIVE IN A NATION WHERE THEY WILL NOT BE JUDGED BY COLO OF THEIR SKIN BUT CONTENT OF THEIR CHARACTER.

I HAVE A DREAM TODAY >> HELLO, I AM JONATHAN OVERBY.

WELCOME TO WISCONSIN'S 42ND ANNUAL TRIBUTE AND CEREMONY, HONORING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. COMING UP, HIGHLIGHTS FROM TODAY'S EVENT RECORDED HERE IN THE STATE CAPITOL ROTUNDA.

LET JUSTICE RULE.

IS THE THEME FOR TODAY'S CELEBRATION.

GUEST SPEAKER, LAURIE A. CARTER PRESIDENT OF APPLETON, WISCONSIN'S LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY.

IN ADDITION WE'LL HAVE MUSIC TO CELEBRATE KING'S LIFE AND WORDS TO REFLECT ON HIS LEGACY.

I HOPE YOU ENJOY TODAY'S TRIBUTE AND CEREMONY HONORING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. >> GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYBODY.

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME YOU TO THE WELCOME TO WISCONSIN'S 42ND ANNUAL TRIBUTE AND CEREMONY HONORING THE REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. - [APPLAUSE] BEFORE WE GET STARTED.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK DR. OVERBY AND ENTIRE 2023 MLK GROUP.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK TODAY'S OUTSTANDING MUSIC PERFORMER IN MAKES TODAY'S CEREMONY MEMORABLE FOR FOLKS HERE TODAY AND THOSE WATCHING ACROSS THE STATE.

AND AS A NATION'S OLDEST OFFICIAL STATE CELEBRATION HONORING DR. KING THIS IS ONE WE ARE PROUD TO CONTINUE.

[APPLAUSE] THE THEME OF THIS YEAR'S CEREMONY LET JUSTICE RULE REMINDS US OF DR. KING'S DREAM AND VISION FOR OUR COUNTRY AND ENCOURAGES US TO WORK TO BRIDGE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL GAPS THAT DIVIDE US ALL WHILE CONTINUING OUR WORK TO OUR JUST FUTURE FOR OUR STATE.

THERE IS NO DENYING LAST FEW YEARS HAVE BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR ALL OF US.

WE RECOGNIZE MANY OF THE INJUSTICES AND INEQUITIES DR. KING WORKED TO ADDRESS NEVERTHELESS REMAIN DEEPLY ENTRENCHED IN OUR CURRENT SOCIETY AND INSTITUTIONS.

BUT JUST AS DR. KING FOUGHT TIRELESSLY FOR JUSTICE, INCLUSION AND EQUAL RIGHTS OF ALL PEOPLE, TODAY WE AFFIRM OURSELVES TO THAT COMMITMENT BOTH AS INDIVIDUALS AND A STATE.

YOU KNOW AS WE REFLECT ON DR. KING'S LIFE AND LASTING LEGACY, REMEMBERED THERE IS STILL SO MUCH WORK LEFT TO BE DONE.

AS WISCONSINITES WE MUST WORK TO BUILD THE FUTURE FOR OUR STATE, MORE JUST, MORE EQUITABLE AND MORE INCLUSIVE AND EVERY WISCONSINITE AS RESOURCES, SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCCEED.

ALL OF US COMMITTED TO THE SHARED GOAL.

AND TO THE WORK AHEAD OF US I BELIEVE THAT TOGETHER WE WILL.

WITH THAT, NOW IT IS MY DISTINCT PLEASURE TO PRESENT A PROCLAMATION AS MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF WISCONSIN AND HONORING.

DR. KING FOR HIS PROFOUND LEGACY AND LASTING IMPACT THAT STILL LIVES ON IN OUR STATE TODAY.

DR. OVERBY, IT IS YOURS.

[APPLAUSE] [MUSIC] >> WILL YOU TURN THE MUSIC UP?

YEAH.

TURN IT UP.

[MUSIC] >> ALL RIGHT.

I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A GOOD OLD HOUSE PARTY.

SETTING IS -- MORE FITTING FOR DR. KING.

I WOULD LIKE TO PASS THIS TO SOMEONE IN OUR AUDIENCE, OUR CHAIR DR. EDWARDO EMMANUEL.

THIS IS THE PROCLAMATION.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING OUT TODAY.

GIVE YOURSELF A HAND.

THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.

[APPLAUSE] SO SOMETHING WE DO EACH YEAR IN THE SPIRIT OF GOOD COMMUNITY TO STAND AND GREET EACH OTHER AND SAY HELLO TO THE PERSON ACROSS THE ISLE.

PERHAPS YOU COULD PLAN A GROUP SLEEP OVER OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES.

STAND AND SAY HELLO TO SOMEONE NEXT TO YOU ACROSS THE ISLE IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE.

TODAY, MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2023, MARK A RETURN TO OUR IN-PERSON CELEBRATION OF DR. KING HERE IN THE ROTUNDA.

WE THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN GATHER NOT ONLY TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTHDAY OF REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR IN WORDS AND MUSIC, BUT TO ALSO AFFIRM OUR COLLECTIVE AND INDIVIDUAL COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE FOR ALL AND NOT JUST SOME.

IN THAT SPACE, I INVITE YOU TO STAND AND GREET YOUR NEIGHBOR ACROSS THE ISLE.

ON THIS DAY WE CAN RECONNECT WITH THE FULL BREATH OF JUSTICE, AS MORE THAN JUST A MATTER ASSIGNED TO LAW, BUT IS IN THE SPIRIT OF "GOOD COMMUNITY", A CHANCE TO DEMONSTRATE OUR DEDICATION TO CARING ABOUT, AND SERVING EACH OTHER, AS A WAY OF LIFE.

LIFE.

THIS IS I BELIEVE A WORTHY STRUGGLE TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF THIS DISEASE THAT CAUSES PEOPLE IN WORD AND DEED TO DISRUPT THE VERY IDEA OF UNITY, BY SOWING DISSENSION, HATRED AND MARGINALIZATION OF THOSE LOOK DIFFERENT, SPEAK DIFFERENTLY, DRESS DIFFERENTLY, HAIL FROM A SO-CALLED FOREIGN LAND AS IMMIGRANTS, OR MERELY BECAUSE THEY WANT TO LOVE WHO THEY LOVE, WANT TO LIVE HOW THEY WANT TO LIVE, AND WANT TO CELEBRATE THEIR DREAMS NOT TOMORROW OR SOMEWHERE DOWN THE ROAD BUT NOW, TODAY.

LET THE EVIDENCE SHOW THAT WE, THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN ACCEPT THE CALL - THE CHALLENGE TO MAKE OUR STATE A JUST AND WELCOMING PLACE FOR ALL.

[APPLAUSE] I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, FOLKS, BUT THIS COULDN'T BE THE EVENT IT SHOULD BE WITHOUT SOME GOOD GOSPEL MUSIC, DO YOU AGREE?

LITTLE TASTE OF SOMETHING, WE HAVE MORE THAN A TASTE FOR YOU, TODAY.

RETURNING TO WISCONSIN ONCE AGAIN, HERE ARE THE BROWN SISTERS OF CHICAGO.

[APPLAUSE] >> WELL, DOCTOR, WOULD YOU MIND IF WE PUT OUR HANDS TOGETHER ON THIS SONG?

>> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

JESUS WILL.

IT IS ALL RIGHT TO GET UP ON YOUR FEET.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUS [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [APPLAUSE] PAZ PAZ >> THE BROWN SISTERS OF CHICAGO.

[APPLAUSE] AS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER CAROLA A. GAINES WAS ONE OF THE FIRST TO SPRING INTO ACTION WHEN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HIT.

SHE RECOGNIZED THAT COMMUNITIES OF COLOR WERE BOTH THE HARDEST HIT BY COVID AND THE MOST VACCINE HESITANT.

SHE ORGANIZED TESTING AND VACCINE SITES AT TRUSTED COMMUNITY LOCATIONS BLACK CHURCHES, THE URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER MADISON, AT MUSIC FESTIVALS...MANY MORE PEOPLE OF COLOR AND THOSE WITH LIMITED ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE TO RECEIVE MUCH NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION.

GAINES...MEMBER OF THE MADISON ALUMNAE CHAPTER OF DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY...RENDERS COUNTLESS HOURS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE FOR THE THE DANE COUNTY ASTHMA COALITION, COMMUNITY HEALTH TASK FORCE, AFRICAN AMERICAN HEALTH NETWORK, AND MUCH MORE.

HER MIDDLE INITIAL "A" MIGHT MIGHT VERY WELL - STAND FOR, A TRUE SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE.

ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR TONY EVERS, I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT CAROLA A. GAINES IS A RECIPIENT OF THE WISCONSIN 2023 MLK HERITAGE AWARD.

[APPLAUSE] [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> I AM IN AWE.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU GOVERNOR EVERS AND YOUR STAFF.

DR. JONATHAN OVERBY AND SONG PRODUCTION FOR THIS INCREDIBLE UNIMAGINABLE HERITAGE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD GIVEN TO ME.

DR. OVERBY YOU HAVE LET YOUR VISION AND JUSTICE RULE FOR 42 YEARS.

WE STAND HERE TODAY, THE OLDEST STATE IN AMERICA HAS CELEBRATED AND PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE LATE REVEREND, DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DR. OVERBY!

DR. OVERBY TODAY, WE STAND ON YOUR SHOULDERS OF SERVICE.

[APPLAUSE] I PRAY THE COMMUNITY IS PLEASED WITH MY YEARS OF SERVICE.

I FEEL MY PURPOSE ON EARTH IS TO BE A SERVANT LEADER.

AND I TRY EVERYDAY TO PERSEVERE, TO BE DEDICATED, PASSIONATE, TO UPLIFT OUR PEOPLE AND COMMITTED TO BE A PART OF TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE AS DR. KING WAS.

[APPLAUSE] I MY DECEASED GRANDPARENTS MY MOTHER TO MY HUSBAND, MY HUSBAND DIDN'T EVEN KNOW.

THANK YOU, I AM SORRY.

[LAUGHTER] TO MY CHILDREN, TO UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN WHO LET ME DO -- WHO I SERVE TO MY FRIENDS, CHURCH FAMILY TO MY PASTOR HERE, REVEREND DR. MARCUS ALLEN.

THANK YOU.

AND LAST BUT NOT AT LEAST I THANK GOD FOR CREATING ME TO BE SERVANT FOR OTHERS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GOD BLESS.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> I HAVE TO SAY YOU ARE WEARING THOSE SNEAKERS.

GIVE HER ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE, CAROLA PETERSON-GAINES.

KALAANJALI INDIAN SCHOOL OF DANCE & MUSIC, BASED IN MADISON, IS DIRECTED BY MEENAKSHI GA-NEY-SAN, HERE WITH A PERFORMANCE OF, BA-RATA NA-T'YAM, A CLASSICAL INDIAN DANCE BASED UPON A POPULAR POEM BY BHA-RA-THI-YAAR WHO WROTE POEMS AND SONGS ON, WOMANIST EMPOWERMENT, SPEAKING YOUR MIND, CHASING YOUR DREAMS, AND FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE.

WARM WELCOME TO THE KALAANJALI INDIAN SCHOOL OF DANCE.

[APPLAUSE] [MUSIC]... [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [APPLAUSE] PARDEEP SINGH KALEKA'S ABILITY TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE PROVED USEFUL IN THE MILWAUKEE POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHERE HE SERVED AS A POLICE OFFICER FOR FOUR YEARS, AND IN MILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WHERE HE TAUGHT AT-RISK YOUTH FOR EIGHT.

BUT IT WASN'T UNTIL AUG. 5, 2012, WHEN A WHITE SUPREMACIST ENTERED THE SIKH TEMPLE OF WISCONSIN AND FATALLY SHOT SIX MEMBERS, INCLUDING KALEKA'S FATHER, THAT THE HE DECIDED TO FOCUS HIS LIFE AROUND BUILDING BRIDGES.

IN THE HOURS FOLLOWING THE SHOOTING, SO MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES CAME TOGETHER, RECALLS KALEKA...WITH EMPATHY.

IN THAT MOMENT, I FELT I HAD A CHOICE.

I CHOSE TO KEEP PEOPLE TOGETHER AND HELP THEM NAVIGATE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES, CUSTOMS AND CULTURES.

TODAY KALEKA, AUTHOR OF "THE GIFT OF OUR WOUNDS"...EXPLORES THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS...

GIVES TALKS ON THE POWER OF EMPATHY AND IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE INTERFAITH CONFERENCE OF GREATER MILWAUKEE...IN PART BECAUSE FOR AMERICA TO FEEL WELCOMING TO IMMIGRANTS, PEOPLE NEED TO SEE THEMSELVES IN HIS LIFE IS A MIRROR OF THAT ADAGE.

ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR TONY EVERS, I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT PARDEEP SINGH KALEKA IS A RECIPIENT OF THE WISCONSIN 2023 MLK HERITAGE AWARD.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

MOMENTS LIKE THIS YOU JUST NEED TO BREATHE IN.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

GREETINGS.

IF I DIDN'T USE YOUR GREETINGS, GREETINGS ANY WAYS.

HAPPY CELEBRATION OF DR. KING.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO DR. OVERBY GOVERNOR EVERS.

ALL OF OUR ELECTED COMMITTEE, EVERYONE GATHERED UP HERE AROUND HERE.

AS I WAS THINKING OF WHAT HAPPENED AUGUST 5TH, 2012, I COULDN'T THINK OF WHAT HAPPENED 50 YEARS BEFORE THAT WHEN FOUR LITTLE GIRLS ENDURED THE IMPACT OF THE BOMB MELT FOR DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. AND INSPIRED A CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.

OUR TRAGEDY WAS THE DEADLIEST STRATEGY COMMITTED BY WHITE SUPREMACIST IN 50 YEARS SINCE THAT BOMB.

WHAT WE HAD TO CHOOSE AT THAT TIME WAS CHOICE TO LISTEN.

THIS IS FOR ALL OF US, WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE LEGACY OF DR. KING, WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE LEGACY OF ALL THOSE THAT LEFT US AND HERE WE SIT DOWN TODAY, I THINK ABOUT OUR ABILITY TO LISTEN IS WHAT CONNECTS US ALL.

DR. KING, HIS LIFE, HIS LEGACY.

AS WE WERE KIND OF SITTING UP HERE, WE WERE LISTENING TO DIFFERENT BANDS FROM DIFFERENT PLACES, THERE WAS A SPIRIT OF CONNECTION AS ONE SAID OF MUTUALITY.

I COULDN'T HELP, I SAID YOU KNOW WHAT, WE NEED TO MAKE IT INTENTIONAL.

DR. KING -- WE ARE NOT JUST HERE CELEBRATING LEGACY OF A MAN.

WE ARE HERE CELEBRATING LEGACY OF A GREAT SPIRIT.

THIS SPIRIT CONNECTS US ALL.

OUR HEART BEAT REMINDS US WE ARE CONNECTED TO THE SPIRIT.

SOME OF US CAN DANCE, SOME OF US CAN'T.

SO AS -- JUST KIDDING.

AS WE WERE GOING THROUGH THAT, YOU CAN SEE WHO HAS TO LISTEN TO THAT SPIRIT.

SOMETIME THAT SPIRIT WHISPERS, SOMETIMES TALKS TO US.

SOMETIMES THAT SPIRIT SCREAMS AT US.

TO SOME OF US, THAT SPIRIT IS SCREAMING.

AND IT DOESN'T TAKE SOMETHING LIKE AUGUST 5TH TO HAPPEN.

SO AS WE GO FORWARD, GO ON TO THE GREAT SPIRIT OF LISTENING TO THAT SPIRIT AS IF THAT SPIRIT IS SCREAMING AT YOU.

LET'S ALL COMMIT TO THE LIFE, THE LEGACY AND COMMIT TO THE JUSTICE TOGETHER, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[APPLAUSE] OUR GUEST SPEAKER TODAY LAURIE A. CARTER.

LAURIE A. CARTER JOINED THE LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY AS ITS 17TH PRESIDENT ON JULY 1, 2021, BRINGING WITH HER A VISION THAT INCLUDES IMPLEMENTING STUDENT-CENTERED GUIDING COALITIONS TO FACILITATE MORE EFFECTIVE CHANGE IMPLEMENTATION AT THE UNIVERSITY.

IN HER BRIEF TIME AS PRESIDENT, CARTER HAS IDENTIFIED FOCUSED INVESTMENT PRIORITIES THROUGH COMMUNITY-WIDE ENGAGEMENT THAT WILL POSITION LAWRENCE TO ANTICIPATE AND MEET THE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE.

[APPLAUSE] >> WONDERFUL TO BE A PART OF THIS GREAT STATE, THANK YOU.

TO GOVERNOR EVERS, FIRST LADY EVERS, REPRESENTATIVE STUBS, PROMO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY TRUSTEE BARBARA LAWTON AND LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY VICE CHAIR SARA, THE PLATFORM PARTY ALL ASSEMBLED HERE AND ACROSS THE GREAT STATE OF WISCONSIN GOOD AFTERNOON.

AND HAPPY REVEREND MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY.

[APPLAUSE] I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU DR. OVERBY AND PBS FOR BEING ABLE TO SHARE THIS YEAR'S THEME LET JUSTICE RULE.

AS AN ATTORNEY MYSELF, AND WIFE TO A RETIRED POLICE DETECTIVE WHO SPENT HIS CAREER WORKING IN A PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, I HAVE AN INTIMATE UNDERSTANDING AND UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE ON JUSTICE AND HOW IT RULES.

THIS PERSPECTIVE BEGAN LONG BEFORE I ATTENDED LAW SCHOOL.

GROWING UP IN AN INTEGRATED TOWN IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY, I VIVIDLY REMEMBER WHEN DR. KING ASSASSINATED.

I WAS A CHILD AT THE TIME AND COULDN'T GRASP WHY SOMEONE WOULD KILL A MINISTER.

MY GRANDFATHER WAS A MINISTER.

LIKE DR. KING, HE DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO THE SERVICE OF GOD AND ELEVATING BLACK PEOPLE.

SO AT AN EARLY AGE I LEARNED ABOUT THE WORK OF DR. KING AND THE INJUSTICE THAT WAS VISITED ON BLACKS IN AMERICA.

WHEN I WAS 16, MY MATERNAL GRANDPARENTS TOOK ME WITH THEM ON A TRIP TO MACON, GEORGIA, MY GRANDFATHER'S BIRTHPLACE.

WE VISIT TODAY FARM, WHERE HIS FATHER A SHARECROPPER TENDED LAND.

WE VISITED THE THREE-ROOM SHOTGUN HOUSE WHERE HE LIVED AS A CHILD BEFORE THE FAMILY MIGRATED TO NEW JERSEY.

THIS EXPERIENCE WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME MY GRANDFATHER SHARED STORIES GROWING UP IN THE SOUTH.

IT WAS CHILLING TO HEAR THAT HE HAD LIVED THROUGH SUCH DIFFICULT TIMES.

AND THAT TRIP CHANGED ME.

I WAS THE ONLY ONE OF 15 GRANDCHILDREN ON THAT TRIP.

IT WAS A PRIVILEGE TO SPEND THAT SACRED TIME WITH MY GRANDPARENTS.

THE EXPERIENCE INSTILLED IN ME, A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY THAT I DIDN'T FULLY UNDERSTAND AT THE TIME BUT I RETURNED HOME WITH A PURPOSE TO LIVE A LIFE THAT HONORED THE SACRIFICES THAT MY ELDERS MADE.

I COULD PURSUE A LIFE OF JUSTICE AS THEY AND OTHERS FOUGHT FOR ME TO HAVE.

WHEN DR. OVERBY CALLED TO INVITE ME TO ADDRESS YOU, I WAS IMMEDIATELY TRANSPORTED BACK TO MY TIME AT THE JULIE ARTS SCHOOL, FOR 25 YEARS I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF PRODUCING ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF LIFE AND WORK OF DR. KING.

I WAS BLESSED TO WORK WITH ACTORS LIKE VIOLA DAVIS, DANIEL BROOKS AND ANTHONY MACKY.

DANCERS ROBERT BATTLE.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE DANCE COMPANY AND MUSICIANS LIKE JONATHAN BATIST.

IN THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO THAT ANNUAL PRODUCTION, EVERY YEAR I SPENT TIME WITH STUDENTS READING EXCERPTS TALKING ABOUT THE LIFE AND WORK OF DR. KING.

IT WAS IMPORTANT THIS WAS NOT JUST ANOTHER JULIE ART PERFORMANCE.

IT WAS VITAL THAT WE CAPTURED THE SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE, PERSEVERANCE AND LOVE OF DR. KING'S WORK.

AND THE QUESTION WHAT IS JUSTICE WITHOUT LOVE?

DR. KING SAID POWER AT ITS BEST IS LOVE IMPLEMENTING DEMANDS OF JUSTICE.

JUSTICE AT ITS BEST IS POWER CORRECTING EVERYTHING THAT STANDS AGAINST LOVE.

AT JULIE ART, I FOUND THIS POWER OF LOVE SUPPORTING STUDENTS THROUGH THEIR INDIVIDUAL EDUCATIONAL JOURNEYS.

AFTER ALL, HIGHER EDUCATION HAD TRANSFORMED MY LIFE.

AS A FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENT, I WATCHED BOTH OF MY PARENTS OBTAIN HIGHER DEGREES OF EDUCATION AFTER RAISING THEIR FAMILY.

DR. KING TAUGHT US ROAD TO JUSTICE IS NOT A STRAIGHT PATH.

MY OWN JOURNEY GUIDED ME TO BELIEVE EDUCATION IS A PATH TO JUSTICE, UNANTICIPATED TWISTS OF FATES AND UNKNOWNS.

IT WAS ALSO AT JULIE ART I MET MY HUSBAND AND GAVE BIRTH TO A BEAUTIFUL BROWN BABY BOY.

WE LIVED IN A COMMUNITY TOUTED AS WONDERFULLY DIVERSE.

BUT AS SEGREGATED AS THE SOUTH WHEN MY HUSBAND AND PARENTS GREW UP THERE 20 MILES FROM MY OWN HOME.

AND VISTAGES OF THAT SEGREGATION LINGERED.

WHEN I WAS SON WAS BORN, MY AFRICAN-AMERICAN DOCTOR CAUTIONED ME ABOUT SENDING OUR SON TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL BECAUSE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST LITTLE BLACK BOYS WAS COMMON.

WE DECIDED OUR SON'S FUTURE WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT INVESTMENT WE COULD MAKE.

WE SACRIFICED A GREAT DEAL TO PLACE HIM IN AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL WHERE HE COULD THRIVE.

SO OF COURSE AS HE GREW, MY HUSBAND HAD THE TALK WITH HIM.

WE WANTED TO BE SURE HE WAS PREPARED TO THRIVE AND SURVIVE IN A WORLD THAT WOULD NOT BECOME ONE AND JUDGE HIM SOLELY ON THE CONTENT OF HIS CHARACTER.

WHILE IT IS NOT A SHOCK HE WAS PULLED OVER MORE THAN ONES BY THE POLICE.

IT WAS A SHOCK THAT IT WAS ON THE NIGHT OF MY INAUGURATION HE A COLLEGE FRESHMAN DROVE MY TWO NIECES BACK TO THE HE TELL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF CAMPUS.

I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE CHIEF AND WENT ABOUT THE INSTITUTION.

INJUSTICE OF THE MOMENT INTENSIFIED SEVERAL MONTHS LATER WHEN I WAS INFORMED BY A FACULTY MEMBER SHE WAS TOLD BY A MEMBER OF THE CAMPUS FORCE OUR SON HAD BEEN STOPPED FOR DRUNK DRIVING.

INJUSTICE OF THAT LIE STUNG MORE THAN THE ACT ITSELF.

AT THAT MOMENT, I RELIED ON DR. KING WHO HAS CONTINUED TO BE THROUGHOUT MY LIFE A SPIRITUAL MENTOR.

AND I STOOD FIRM IN HIS BELIEF THAT JUSTICE AT ITS BEST IS POWER CORRECTING EVERYTHING THAT STANDS AGAINST LOVE.

AS A PERSON OF FAITH, I WAS REMINDED OF DR. KING'S WORDS: THEY HAVE NO COMPREHENSION OF THE STRENGTH THAT COMES FROM FAITH IN GOD AND MAN.

IT IS POSSIBLE FOR ME TO FALTER.

BUT I AM PROUDLY SECURE IN MY KNOWLEDGE GOD LOVES US.

HE HAS NOT WORKED OUT A DESIGN FOR OUR FAILURE.

MAN HAS THE CAPACITY TO DO RIGHT AS WELL AS WRONG.

HIS HISTORY IS A PATH UPWARD, NOT DOWNWARD.

THE PAST IS STREWN WITH THE RUINS OF TYRANNY AND EACH IS A MONUMENT NOT NEARLY TO MAN'S BLUNDERS BUT HIS CAPACITY TO OVERCOME THEM.

I RESOLVED TO OVERCOME BY RELYING ON MY FAITH AND LEANING INTO MY PASSION FOR EDUCATION AND I SET OUT TO CREATE A CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERYONE HAD A SENSE OF BELONGING, AND A WAY TO THRIVE WHEN I ACCEPTED THE PRESIDENCY, POWER OF EDUCATION AS A GREAT EQUALIZER COMMITTED TO BEING A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE CAN THRIVE.

EACH DAY WE STRIVE TO BE THE BELOVED COMMUNITY DR. KING ENVISIONED.

LAWRENCE IS AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING THAT PROVIDES A LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION AND PREPARES STUDENTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL LIFE AND PREPARES THEM FOR ANY JOB THIS RAPIDLY HANGING WORLD WILL PLACE BEFORE THEM.

A PLACE WHERE CRITICAL THINKING, PROBLEM SOLVING, STRONG COMMUNICATION, WRITING, AND COLLABORATION SKILLS ARE DEVELOPED.

A PLACE WHERE DEMONSTRATED FINANCIAL NEED IS MET SO THAT STUDENTS ARE FREE TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE RIGOR OF EDUCATION WITH OPPORTUNITIES SUCH AS STUDY ABROAD, AND PAID INTERNSHIPS.

A PLACE WHERE JUSTICE LIVES BECAUSE IT IS FUELLED BY THE POWER OF LOVE.

THIS IS THE LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY THAT A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE LIFE AND WORK OF DR. KING HAS INSPIRED ME TO LEAD.

SO ON THIS MLK DAY IT IS IMPORTANT TO SERVE YET WE MUST GO DEEPER THAN A DAY OF SERVICE.

DR. KING SAID, ONE OF THE GREAT TRAGEDIES OF LIFE IS THAT MEN SELDOM BRIDGE THE GOLF BETWEEN PRACTICE AND PROFESSION, BETWEEN DOING AND SAYING.

A PERSISTENT SCHIZOPHRENIA LEAVES SO MANY OF US TRAGICALLY DIVIDED AGAINST OURSELVES.

ON THE ONE HAND PROUDLY PROFESS CERTAIN SUBLIME AND NOBLE PRINCIPLES.

ON THE OTHER HAND, SADLY PRACTICE VERY ANTITHESIS OF THESE PRINCIPLES.

HOW OFTEN ARE OUR LIVES CHARACTERIZED BY HIGH BLOOD PRESSUE OF CREEDS AND ANEMIA OF DEEDS.

WE MAKE OUR FERVENT PLEAS FOR HIGH ROAD OF JUSTICE AND TREAD TO THE LOW ROAD OF INJUSTICE.

THIS STRANGE DICHOTOMY IS AGONIZING OUGHT AND IS REPRESENTS TRAGIC THEME OF MAN'S EARTHLY PILGRIMAGE.

EACH OF US CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.

HAVE YOU FALLEN PREY TO ANEMIA OF DEEDS?

WE OWE IT TO OURSELVES AND THE LEGACY DR. KING LEFT TO CHALLENGE OURSELVES TO DO BETTER.

HIS LIFE AND MY OWN JOURNEY ARE PROOF THIS IS NOT AN EASY ROAD, NOR IS IT A COMFORTABLE ONE, YET IT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE MUST DO IF WE TRULY BELIEVE IN JUSTICE.

DR. KING SAW THE BEST AND WORST OF HUMANITY.

HE SAID THAT HUMAN PROGRESS IS NEITHER AUTOMATIC OR INEVITABLE.

EVERY STEP TO THE GOAL OF JUSTICE REQUIRES SACRIFICE, SUFFERING, AND STRUGGLE.

TIRELESS EXERTIONS AND PASSIONATE CONCERN OF DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS.

DR. KING CHALLENGED US TO EXAM OURSELVES AND ASK IF WE ARE REALLY WORKING TOWARD THE GOAL OF JUSTICE, SACRIFICE, SUFFERING, AND STRUGGLE ARE NOT EASY TO UNDERTAKE.

THEY ARE NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.

MANY OF US CAN SAY WE HAVE MADE SACRIFICE TOWARDS JUSTICE.

WE HAVE ENGAGED IN SOME LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT CAUSED US TO GIVE UP TIME, TALENT OR TREASURES THAT WE COULD HAVE USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

I ASK HAVE WE SUFFERED OR STRUGGLED?

THE STORY I SHARED EARLIER WAS THE TIP OF AN ICE BURGER OF STRUGGLE.

THAT TRIP TO MACON, GEORGIA PREPARED ME FOR SACRIFICE, STRUGGLE, AND EVEN SUFFERING.

WHILE I KNEW THAT MY LIFE WAS NOT GOING TO BE EASY, I ALSO KNEW IT WOULD NOT BE NEARLY AS DIFFICULT AS THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE ME.

I AM GRATEFUL FOR DR. KING AND OTHERS WHO PAVED THE WAY.

HAD THEY GOTTEN WEARY IN WELL DOING, I WOULD NOT BE STANDING HERE TODAY.

I EMBRACE AND CONTINUE TO EMBRACE THE STRUGGLE AND SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY I LEARNED ON THAT TRIP.

SO THAT MY SON AND YOUNG PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES ARE ENTRUSTED TO ME WILL HAVE A LIFE CLOSER TO DR. KING'S DREAM THAN MY OWN.

I ASK YOU TO REFLECT ON SACRIFICE, AND STRUGGLE OF DR. KING'S LIFE AND WORK.

TO TAKE WITH YOU MY WISH FOR US TODAY AND EVERYDAY.

DR. KING SAID IT BEST WHEN HE SAID TRUE PEACE IS NOT NEARLY THE ABSENCE OF TENSION IT IS THE PRESENCE OF JUSTICE.

I WISH YOU A LIFE OF PEACEW AND JUSTICE.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT LAURIE A. CARTER.

[APPLAUSE] AND NOW IT HAS BEEN THE TRADITION HERE AT THIS ANNUAL EVENT IN THE STATE CAPITOL TO HAVE A STUDENT READ AND DEON JOHNSON, "DREAM" EXCERPT RENDER AN EXCERPT FROM DR. KING'S 1963 SPEECH, I HAVE A DREAM IS, DEON JOHNSON, JR. 4TH GRADER AT ABARHAM LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MADISON, WI.

DEON ENJOYS BASKETBALL, PLAYS ON THE SOUTHSIDE RAIDERS FOOTBALL TEAM, LIKES TO READ AND TELL STORIES.

PLEASE WELCOME DEON JOHNSON, JR. [APPLAUSE] >> GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY.

>> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS DEON JOHNSON AND I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH BY DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

EVEN THOUGH WE -- I STILL HAVE A DREAM IT IS A DREAM DEEPLY AN AMERICAN DREAM.

I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY THIS NATION WILL RISE UP AND LIVE OUT THE TRUE MEANING OF ITS CREED.

WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL.

I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY OUT IN THE RED HILLS OF GEORGIA THE SONS OF FORMER SLAVES AND THE SONS OF FORMER SLAVEOWNERS WILL BE ABLE TO SIT DOWN TOGETHER AT THE TABLE OF BROTHERHOOD.

I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY EVEN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, A STATE SWELTERING WITH THE HEAT OF OPPRESSION, WILL BE TRANSFORMED INTO AN OASIS OF FREEDOM AND JUSTICE.

I HAVE A DREAM THAT MY FOUR LITTLE CHILDREN WILL ONE DAY LIVE IN A NATION WHERE THEY WILL NOT BE JUDGED BY THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN BUT BY THEIR CHARACTER.

I HAVE A DREAM TODAY.

I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY DOWN IN ALABAMA, WITH ITS VICIOUS RACISTS, WITH ITS GOVERNOR HAVING HIS LIPS DRIPPING WITH THE WORDS OF INTERPOSITION AND NULLIFICATION; THAT ONE DAY RIGHT DOWN IN ALABAMA LITTLE BLACK BOYS AND BLACK GIRLS WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN HANDS WITH LITTLE WHITE BOYS AND WHITE GIRLS AS SISTERS AND BROTHERS.

I HAVE A DREAM TODAY.

I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY EVERY VALLEY SHALL BE ENGULFED, EVERY HILL SHALL BE EXALTED AND EVERY MOUNTAIN SHALL BE MADE LOW, THE ROUGH PLACES WILL BE MADE PLAINS AND THE CROOKED PLACES WILL BE MADE STRAIGHT AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHALL BE REVEALED AND ALL FLESH SHALL SEE IT TOGETHER.

THIS IS OUR HOPE.

THIS IS THE FAITH THAT I WILL GO BACK TO THE SOUTH WITH.

WITH THIS FAITH WE WILL BE ABLE TO HEW OUT OF THE MOUNTAIN OF DESPAIR A STONE OF HOPE.

WITH THIS FAITH WE WILL BE ABLE TO TRANSFORM THE JANGLING DISCORDS OF OUR NATION INTO A BEAUTIFUL SYMPHONY OF BROTHERHOOD.

WITH THIS FAITH WE WILL BE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER, TO PRAY TOGETHER, TO STRUGGLE TOGETHER, TO GO TO JAIL TOGETHER, TO CLIMB UP FOR FREEDOM TOGETHER, KNOWING THAT WE WILL BE FREE ONE DAY.

THIS WILL BE THE DAY WHEN ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN WILL BE ABLE TO SING WITH NEW MEANING MY COUNTRY 'TIS OF THEE, SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY, OF THEE I SING.

LAND WHERE MY FATHER'S DIED, LAND OF THE PILGRIM'S PRIDE, FROM EVERY MOUNTAINSIDE, LET FREEDOM RING " AND IF AMERICA IS TO BE A GREAT NATION, THIS MUST BECOME TRUE.

SO LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE HILLTOPS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE MIGHTY MOUNTAINS OF NEW YORK.

LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE HEIGHTENING ALLEGHENIES OF PENNSYLVANIA.

LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE SNOW-CAPPED ROCKIES OF COLORADO.

LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE CURVACEOUS SLOPES OF CALIFORNIA.

BUT NOT ONLY THAT, LET FREEDOM, RING FROM STONE MOUNTAIN OF GEORGIA.

LET FREEDOM RING FROM EVERY HILL AND MOLEHILL OF MISSISSIPPI AND EVERY MOUNTAINSIDE.

WHEN WE LET FREEDOM RING, WHEN WE LET IT RING FROM EVERY TENEMENT 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 SPIRITUAL, FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST.

THANK GOD ALMIGHTY, WE ARE FREE AT LAST.

CHEERED CHEERED [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] WELL FRIENDS, IT IS TIME TO LOWER THE CURTAIN AS THEY SAY ON THIS EDITION OF WISCONSIN'S ANNUAL TRIBUTE AND CEREMONY.

MADE POSSIBLE BY OFFICE OF GOVERNOR TONY EVERS, STAFF, SPONSORS, PARTICIPANTS.

PERFORMERS, PRODUCTION CREWS, VOLUNTEERS, MLK PLANNING GROUP.

OUR GUESTS AND YOU.

WHO COME OUT EVERY YEAR TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. KING.

WOULD YOU STAND AND LET US SING THAT SONG THAT STILL RINGS TRUE THAT WE HAVE LET TO OVERCOME.

BUT WE WANT TO, WE STRUGGLE TO, WE STRIVE TO.

[SINGING] WE SHALL OVERCOME... [SINGING] COME ON, SING IT LIKE IT IS.

[MUSIC] LET'S SING IT ONE MORE TIME.

HERE WE GO.

[MUSIC] >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH MUCH, HAVE A GREAT DAY.

THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT TO CELEBRATE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. [APPLAUSE]