| State of Wisconsin annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr A video report by Heidi M. Pascual |
On January 21, 2008, hundreds of Wisconsinites braved the harsh winter cold and found warmth with each other as they
gathered at the State Capitol Rotunda for the 28th annual Tribute and Ceremony honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Presented
annually by Africasong Communications headed by Jonathan Overby, the event featured excellent performances, a renowned
guest speaker, the MLK Heritage awards, and a National Recognition award. A youth also delivered an excerpt from MLK's "I Have
a Dream" speech.
This year's MLK's Heritage awardees were: Fern Yangyeite Caulker (Milwaukee), Gloria Ladson-Billings (Madison), and Clarence
Garrett (Milwaukee). Taneshia Jackson of East High School delivered the excerpt of MLK's speech. Jonathan Overby set the tone of
the occasion by singing "Soon I Will be Done With the Trouble of the World," in a great style all his own. Performers included the
UW-Madison Gospel Choir, Tammara Smith, the Sun Prairie High School Jazz Ensemble, Ton Ko-Thi Children's Performing
Ensemble, and Chicago's Complete Praise Mime Troupe. UW Chancellor David Wilson emceed, while Rev. Louis Sibley III
delivered the Invocation.
Gov. Jim Doyle presented his Proclamation, declaring January 21, 2008 as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the State of Wisconsin.
Doyle reported on two major steps he has done since last year's event: 1) Starting Feb. 1, he said, every child in Wisconsin will
have access to health insurance through BadgerCare; and 2) the latest budget will provide access to higher education, through the
creation of new school positions, increased financial aid by over $40 million, and the creation of the Office of Wisconsin Covenant
whereby youth will commit to finish high school, get a B average (at least), become good citizens, and take college courses. Dr.
Gloria Ladson-Billings, in her keynote speech, said that one's beginning doesn't determine one's ending. She talked of her own
struggle, her own beginnings. "Neither of my parents finished school," she said. "Many of my peers ended up dead or in prison ...
but somewhere along my journey, there were people who helped me." She urged the youth to maintain a conscious dissatisfaction
with the present and not be content with it. "Set the focus on where you're trying to go," she said. "We are all here for a reason."
gathered at the State Capitol Rotunda for the 28th annual Tribute and Ceremony honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Presented
annually by Africasong Communications headed by Jonathan Overby, the event featured excellent performances, a renowned
guest speaker, the MLK Heritage awards, and a National Recognition award. A youth also delivered an excerpt from MLK's "I Have
a Dream" speech.
This year's MLK's Heritage awardees were: Fern Yangyeite Caulker (Milwaukee), Gloria Ladson-Billings (Madison), and Clarence
Garrett (Milwaukee). Taneshia Jackson of East High School delivered the excerpt of MLK's speech. Jonathan Overby set the tone of
the occasion by singing "Soon I Will be Done With the Trouble of the World," in a great style all his own. Performers included the
UW-Madison Gospel Choir, Tammara Smith, the Sun Prairie High School Jazz Ensemble, Ton Ko-Thi Children's Performing
Ensemble, and Chicago's Complete Praise Mime Troupe. UW Chancellor David Wilson emceed, while Rev. Louis Sibley III
delivered the Invocation.
Gov. Jim Doyle presented his Proclamation, declaring January 21, 2008 as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the State of Wisconsin.
Doyle reported on two major steps he has done since last year's event: 1) Starting Feb. 1, he said, every child in Wisconsin will
have access to health insurance through BadgerCare; and 2) the latest budget will provide access to higher education, through the
creation of new school positions, increased financial aid by over $40 million, and the creation of the Office of Wisconsin Covenant
whereby youth will commit to finish high school, get a B average (at least), become good citizens, and take college courses. Dr.
Gloria Ladson-Billings, in her keynote speech, said that one's beginning doesn't determine one's ending. She talked of her own
struggle, her own beginnings. "Neither of my parents finished school," she said. "Many of my peers ended up dead or in prison ...
but somewhere along my journey, there were people who helped me." She urged the youth to maintain a conscious dissatisfaction
with the present and not be content with it. "Set the focus on where you're trying to go," she said. "We are all here for a reason."