Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
The Mayor was joined by Deputy Mayor Rudy Washington, Police Commissioner Howard Safir, Dr. Edison O. Jackson, president of Medgar Evers College, Reverend James Williams of the Fellowship Baptist Church, and members of the African American community. Mayor Giuliani also proclaimed the week of January 14, 1997 as "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Week" in New York City.
"Dr. King was a civil rights leader, whose courage and determination to balance the scales of justice changed the world forever," Mayor Giuliani said. "From the Montgomery Bus Boycott to his final hours in Memphis, Dr. King stood tall. His message of hope, peace and love sent a message to all people, for all time. Dr. King was aware of the dangers he faced, but he knew his was a destiny like that of Moses -- to lead others to the promised land, knowing that he very well might never reach that plateau himself.
"In every community, there is a large majority of decent people who share a commitment to the principles that Dr. King believed in, the principles that unite us as a society," the Mayor added. "By working together we can change the world the way Dr. King had envisioned, by building bridges to other communities. As we pay tribute to the memory and message of Dr. King, let's resolve to define ourselves by our commitment to tolerance, peace and cooperation."
After the formal program, the Boys Choir of Harlem, led by founder and president Dr. Walter Turnbull, entertained the Tweed Courthouse audience with a musical selection.
The event was sponsored by the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of New York, Schiefflin & Somerset Company, Tennessee Mountain Bar & Grill, Tribeca Grill, Wells Restaurant and Acme Bar & Grill.