Ben Berry, CIO Oregon Department of Transportation Ben.berryodot.state.or

1. Ben Berry, CIO Oregon Department of Transportation Ben.berry@odot.state.or.us Speech: Ben Berry (ODOT CIO) will speak to Martin Luther King’s vision of Realizing the Dream Together” by speaking to Martin’s supporting message of “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve! INTRODUCTION Thank you Kory and it is my pleasure to be here as DHS celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Wow! This is a remarkable week. One with back to back days celebration of a leader who embodies service to a our nation’s past Civil Rights and one who embodies service leadership to our nation’s future. We do live in very interesting times! The theme: "Realizing the Dream Together"  This will be a take off from the I have a dream speech and Dr. King's emphasis that we all have to work together to make change happen. Our speakers will address The need to collaborate by getting beyond our divisions to achieve the dream. One of our speakers will be returning from DC having attended the Inauguration and witnessing this coming together and collaboration. Another speaker, a former foster youth and recipient of a Governor's award (at this year's OYA Summit on Over-representation) will speak about what needs to change in our system to help diverse youth achieve the dream and how we need to cooperate with each other. He is now a BSW student at Portland State University. Our Master of Ceremonies, Kory Murphy, is a Child Welfare Equity Coordinator for our DHS CAF Diversity Unit and quite a powerful speaker also. Speech: Ben Berry (ODOT CIO) will speak to Martin Luther King’s vision of Realizing the Dream Together” by speaking to Martin’s supporting message of “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve! INTRODUCTION Thank you Kory and it is my pleasure to be here as DHS celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Wow! This is a remarkable week. One with back to back days celebration of a leader who embodies service to a our nation’s past Civil Rights and one who embodies service leadership to our nation’s future. We do live in very interesting times! The theme: "Realizing the Dream Together"  This will be a take off from the I have a dream speech and Dr. King's emphasis that we all have to work together to make change happen. Our speakers will address The need to collaborate by getting beyond our divisions to achieve the dream. One of our speakers will be returning from DC having attended the Inauguration and witnessing this coming together and collaboration. Another speaker, a former foster youth and recipient of a Governor's award (at this year's OYA Summit on Over-representation) will speak about what needs to change in our system to help diverse youth achieve the dream and how we need to cooperate with each other. He is now a BSW student at Portland State University. Our Master of Ceremonies, Kory Murphy, is a Child Welfare Equity Coordinator for our DHS CAF Diversity Unit and quite a powerful speaker also.

2. I believe America is in the Cross Roads of Change that has meaning to each and every one of us. On the one side things are decreasing in that….. Decreasing: Doubt in our abilities to do the hard work to get us through this economic slowdown. Even though Oregon’s unemployment rate hit an all time high of 9%. Settling for less and using Shortcuts or– for if it was easy everybody would be doing it and service would be a commodity. Putting off unpleasant decisions Increasing Trust in our abilities as individuals, community and a nation Unity of purpose because we know where we have been and we know where we must go. Realigning our priorities, at all levels – our kids who watch and learn from us, our communities that depend on us and a nation that needs strengthening Faithful to the ideals of service because we all need help along the way.I believe America is in the Cross Roads of Change that has meaning to each and every one of us. On the one side things are decreasing in that….. Decreasing: Doubt in our abilities to do the hard work to get us through this economic slowdown. Even though Oregon’s unemployment rate hit an all time high of 9%. Settling for less and using Shortcuts or– for if it was easy everybody would be doing it and service would be a commodity. Putting off unpleasant decisions Increasing Trust in our abilities as individuals, community and a nation Unity of purpose because we know where we have been and we know where we must go. Realigning our priorities, at all levels – our kids who watch and learn from us, our communities that depend on us and a nation that needs strengthening Faithful to the ideals of service because we all need help along the way.

3. Life’s persistent and most urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others? SEGMENT 1. . I believe our history and where we come from has a lot to do with where we are going. I’m reminded of the early 1960’s when I first heard about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as my father and I sat in our neighborhood barber shop in Los Angeles. I am sure I was only about 10 years old. It turns out that Black barber shops and churches are focal points where the African-American community engages in among other things -- discussions of injustice, rights and dreams. As I learned more as a young child, Martin Luther King preached non-violent protest, worked for all people’s rights and had a dream of working together to improve people’s lives. Not only African Americans, but whites who lived in poor social economic conditions. In fact, he sought Civil Rights for all! During his lifetime, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. worked tirelessly for his vision of a nation of freedom and equality. He inspired people to fight against injustice of all kinds, once saying: “Life’s persistent and most urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” Dr. King valued strong communities, the empowerment of individuals, and striving for common goals. And the power of King’s spoken words are striking….….. "Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don't have to know Einstein's "Theory of Relativity" to serve. You don't have to know the Second Theory of Thermal Dynamics in Physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love, and you can be that servant."-  This is excerpted from "The Drum Major Instinct", a sermon by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1968.SEGMENT 1. . I believe our history and where we come from has a lot to do with where we are going. I’m reminded of the early 1960’s when I first heard about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as my father and I sat in our neighborhood barber shop in Los Angeles. I am sure I was only about 10 years old. It turns out that Black barber shops and churches are focal points where the African-American community engages in among other things -- discussions of injustice, rights and dreams. As I learned more as a young child, Martin Luther King preached non-violent protest, worked for all people’s rights and had a dream of working together to improve people’s lives. Not only African Americans, but whites who lived in poor social economic conditions. In fact, he sought Civil Rights for all! During his lifetime, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. worked tirelessly for his vision of a nation of freedom and equality. He inspired people to fight against injustice of all kinds, once saying: “Life’s persistent and most urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” Dr. King valued strong communities, the empowerment of individuals, and striving for common goals. And the power of King’s spoken words are striking….….. "Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don't have to know Einstein's "Theory of Relativity" to serve. You don't have to know the Second Theory of Thermal Dynamics in Physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love, and you can be that servant."-  This is excerpted from "The Drum Major Instinct", a sermon by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1968.

4. But as we look at the short 39 years of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s. time with us, it is amazing what he was able to accomplish. Although he was born in 1929, by 1948 – Graduates from Morehouse College and enters Crozer Theological Seminary. Ordained to the Baptist ministry at age 19. 1955 - Joins the bus boycott after Rosa Parks refuses to move to the back of the bus. The next day, King is elected president of the Montgomery Improvement Association, making him the official spokesman for the economic boycott of the bus company by Blacks. With this the Civil Rights Era begins! 1956 - Nearly a year into the boycott, the Supreme Court rules that bus segregation is illegal, ensuring victory for the boycott. 1958 – (1) U.S. Congress passes the first Civil Rights Act since reconstruction. (2) King's first book, Stride Toward Freedom, is published, (3) MLK meets with President Eisenhower on problems affecting black Americans. 1959 - (1) Visits India for 30 days to study Mohandas Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence. 1960 – (1) Becomes co-pastor with his father at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. 1961 - Congress on Racial Equality (CORE) began first Freedom Ride through the South, in a Greyhound bus, after the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed segregation in interstate transportation due to work of MLK. 1963 – (1) MLK is jailed and later released for demonstrating without a permit – this Birmingham campaign is turning point in the war to end segregation in the South. (2) MLK leads 125,000 people on a Freedom Walk in Detroit. (4) March on Washington campaign yields 250,000 in attendance. (4) At the march, MLK makes his famous “I Have a Dream” speech 1964 – (1) Time Magazine’s Man of the Year (2) MLK at White House signing ceremony for Civil Rights Act of 1964, (3) MLK awarded Nobel Peace Prize 1965 - After President Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act into law, Martin Luther King, Jr. turns to socioeconomic problems. 1966 – (1) King moves into a Chicago slum tenement to attract attention to the living conditions of the poor (black and white). (2) King and others begin the March Against Fear through the South. (3) King initiates a campaign to end discrimination in housing, employment, and schools in Chicago. 1967 - King announces the inception of the Poor People's Campaign focusing on jobs and freedom for the poor of all races. 1968 – (1) King announces that the Poor People's Campaign will culminate in a March on Washington demanding a $12 billion Economic Bill of Rights guaranteeing employment to the able-bodied, incomes to those unable to work, and an end to housing discrimination. (2) Dr. King marches in support of sanitation workers on strike in Memphis, Tennessee. (3) March 28th Delivers I've Been to the Mountaintop speech. (4) And at sunset on April 3, Martin Luther King, Jr. is fatally shot while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. (5) There are riots and disturbances in 130 American cities. There were twenty thousand arrests. (6) Within a week of the assassination, the Open Housing Act is passed by Congress.But as we look at the short 39 years of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s. time with us, it is amazing what he was able to accomplish. Although he was born in 1929, by 1948 – Graduates from Morehouse College and enters Crozer Theological Seminary. Ordained to the Baptist ministry at age 19. 1955 - Joins the bus boycott after Rosa Parks refuses to move to the back of the bus. The next day, King is elected president of the Montgomery Improvement Association, making him the official spokesman for the economic boycott of the bus company by Blacks. With this the Civil Rights Era begins! 1956 - Nearly a year into the boycott, the Supreme Court rules that bus segregation is illegal, ensuring victory for the boycott. 1958 – (1) U.S. Congress passes the first Civil Rights Act since reconstruction. (2) King's first book, Stride Toward Freedom, is published, (3) MLK meets with President Eisenhower on problems affecting black Americans. 1959 - (1) Visits India for 30 days to study Mohandas Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence. 1960 – (1) Becomes co-pastor with his father at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. 1961 - Congress on Racial Equality (CORE) began first Freedom Ride through the South, in a Greyhound bus, after the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed segregation in interstate transportation due to work of MLK. 1963 – (1) MLK is jailed and later released for demonstrating without a permit – this Birmingham campaign is turning point in the war to end segregation in the South. (2) MLK leads 125,000 people on a Freedom Walk in Detroit. (4) March on Washington campaign yields 250,000 in attendance. (4) At the march, MLK makes his famous “I Have a Dream” speech 1964 – (1) Time Magazine’s Man of the Year (2) MLK at White House signing ceremony for Civil Rights Act of 1964, (3) MLK awarded Nobel Peace Prize 1965 - After President Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act into law, Martin Luther King, Jr. turns to socioeconomic problems. 1966 – (1) King moves into a Chicago slum tenement to attract attention to the living conditions of the poor (black and white). (2) King and others begin the March Against Fear through the South. (3) King initiates a campaign to end discrimination in housing, employment, and schools in Chicago. 1967 - King announces the inception of the Poor People's Campaign focusing on jobs and freedom for the poor of all races. 1968 – (1) King announces that the Poor People's Campaign will culminate in a March on Washington demanding a $12 billion Economic Bill of Rights guaranteeing employment to the able-bodied, incomes to those unable to work, and an end to housing discrimination. (2) Dr. King marches in support of sanitation workers on strike in Memphis, Tennessee. (3) March 28th Delivers I've Been to the Mountaintop speech. (4) And at sunset on April 3, Martin Luther King, Jr. is fatally shot while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. (5) There are riots and disturbances in 130 American cities. There were twenty thousand arrests. (6) Within a week of the assassination, the Open Housing Act is passed by Congress.

5. “Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place, but I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will, and He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over, and I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land.”“Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place, but I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will, and He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over, and I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land.”

6. Serving is a way of leveling the playing field. You see serving is a way of leveling the playing field of life. For there will always be those who “HAVE” and those that “HAVE NOT”. To be successful in life, each of us has always had help along the way. A small enfant depends on its mother for life, nourishment and upbringing. We depend on our teachers and schools to give us knowledge and skills to make it in life. Involved and contributing communities produce people of character who can thrive and build the future. Our government services serve in times of our most desperate need, -- times of unemployment, drug abuse and addiction, child neglect, and of course the clearing of roads during inclement weather.You see serving is a way of leveling the playing field of life. For there will always be those who “HAVE” and those that “HAVE NOT”. To be successful in life, each of us has always had help along the way. A small enfant depends on its mother for life, nourishment and upbringing. We depend on our teachers and schools to give us knowledge and skills to make it in life. Involved and contributing communities produce people of character who can thrive and build the future. Our government services serve in times of our most desperate need, -- times of unemployment, drug abuse and addiction, child neglect, and of course the clearing of roads during inclement weather.

7. And, we cannot compare our lives with others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. That’s why the gift of serving shows up when we least expect it, but as a community, we do REALIZE THIS GIFT TOGETHER.And, we cannot compare our lives with others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. That’s why the gift of serving shows up when we least expect it, but as a community, we do REALIZE THIS GIFT TOGETHER.

8. “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve!” SEGMENT 2. But there are barriers with "Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. The barriers can stem from selfishness and a desire for attention or a desire to be first. Enter the “drum major instinct”. As said by Dr. King, “there is something deep down within all of us an instinct. It's a kind of drum major instinct—a desire to be out front, a desire to lead the parade, a desire to be first. And it is something that runs the whole gamut of life.” King goes on to say……. You know, we begin early to ask life to put us first. Our first cry as a baby was a bid for attention. And all through childhood the drum major impulse or instinct is a major obsession. Children ask life to grant them first place. They are a little bundle of ego. And they have innately the drum major impulse or the drum major instinct.SEGMENT 2. But there are barriers with "Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. The barriers can stem from selfishness and a desire for attention or a desire to be first. Enter the “drum major instinct”. As said by Dr. King, “there is something deep down within all of us an instinct. It's a kind of drum major instinct—a desire to be out front, a desire to lead the parade, a desire to be first. And it is something that runs the whole gamut of life.” King goes on to say……. You know, we begin early to ask life to put us first. Our first cry as a baby was a bid for attention. And all through childhood the drum major impulse or instinct is a major obsession. Children ask life to grant them first place. They are a little bundle of ego. And they have innately the drum major impulse or the drum major instinct.

9. o But if we stop to think, we can fight against this drum major influence by serving for the right reasons. I am reminded of 1965 when I peered over my home’s backyard wall. I could see down in the city of Los Angeles (and in particular Watts) that the city was burning and with huge plumes of smoke. You could hear the shrill of police and fire department sirens. TV news broadcast video of people running through the streets breaking storefront windows, hauling off appliances, clothes and food. The police and National Guard were there too, shooting looters on site. But we forgive everyone for everything. When my father returned home from work that evening, I asked him why the city was burning. He said the city was burning because people felt they had no jobs, no civil rights and they were in a downward cycle of abuse and poverty without hope. These Los Angeles riots would be repeated again in 1991 with the announcement of the release of the police officers who had beaten Rodney King. This was long after Martin Luther King had died. But both riots had the same eerie feeling. A revisit of the “Haves” and the “Have Nots”. After the first Watts riots of 1965, more and more people began to serve. My father and other men worked to create a small manufacturing plant in the neighborhoods of Watts. They served to help the community pull itself up by its bootstraps. In 1968, my family moved to Portland, Oregon, where dad was involved in similar neighborhood investment as they created the Albina Corporation for medium manufacturing jobs for the inner city North Portland community. But if we stop to think, we can fight against this drum major influence by serving for the right reasons. I am reminded of 1965 when I peered over my home’s backyard wall. I could see down in the city of Los Angeles (and in particular Watts) that the city was burning and with huge plumes of smoke. You could hear the shrill of police and fire department sirens. TV news broadcast video of people running through the streets breaking storefront windows, hauling off appliances, clothes and food. The police and National Guard were there too, shooting looters on site. But we forgive everyone for everything. When my father returned home from work that evening, I asked him why the city was burning. He said the city was burning because people felt they had no jobs, no civil rights and they were in a downward cycle of abuse and poverty without hope. These Los Angeles riots would be repeated again in 1991 with the announcement of the release of the police officers who had beaten Rodney King. This was long after Martin Luther King had died. But both riots had the same eerie feeling. A revisit of the “Haves” and the “Have Nots”. After the first Watts riots of 1965, more and more people began to serve. My father and other men worked to create a small manufacturing plant in the neighborhoods of Watts. They served to help the community pull itself up by its bootstraps. In 1968, my family moved to Portland, Oregon, where dad was involved in similar neighborhood investment as they created the Albina Corporation for medium manufacturing jobs for the inner city North Portland community.

10. But there are several examples of service we could cite. In 1944, the United States government, wondered if Blacks could fly airplanes? 10,000 applicants applied and the testing reduced them to just 1,000, the cream of the crop. Flying protection for US bombers in Europe, they never lost a plane to enemy fire. In 2006 at the nation’s capitol, the President thanked the Tuskegee Airman for their service during WWII. I know this to be true because my father served as a Tuskegee Airman. And he told be the story so I could tell my children and now I am telling you.But there are several examples of service we could cite. In 1944, the United States government, wondered if Blacks could fly airplanes? 10,000 applicants applied and the testing reduced them to just 1,000, the cream of the crop. Flying protection for US bombers in Europe, they never lost a plane to enemy fire. In 2006 at the nation’s capitol, the President thanked the Tuskegee Airman for their service during WWII. I know this to be true because my father served as a Tuskegee Airman. And he told be the story so I could tell my children and now I am telling you.

11. But there is plenty of THANKS TO GO AROUND, especially countless local examples of people serving and working together . Let’s thank the Board of Trustees for the St. Andrew Nativity School in NE Portland, whose donors support this middle school for inner city youth from poor family’s kids who qualified for government breakfast programs. I liken the school to building the capacity of people of color for the Oregon workforce. If it were not for the Nativity School, the kids selected might not go on to college and possibly be at risk to society. To date, they have 58 kids in the Nativity School, 68 graduates attending Catholic High Schools, and their first 15 high school graduates attending colleges.But there is plenty of THANKS TO GO AROUND, especially countless local examples of people serving and working together . Let’s thank the Board of Trustees for the St. Andrew Nativity School in NE Portland, whose donors support this middle school for inner city youth from poor family’s kids who qualified for government breakfast programs. I liken the school to building the capacity of people of color for the Oregon workforce. If it were not for the Nativity School, the kids selected might not go on to college and possibly be at risk to society. To date, they have 58 kids in the Nativity School, 68 graduates attending Catholic High Schools, and their first 15 high school graduates attending colleges.

12. Let’s thank organizations such as Lifeworks NW, for this not for profit serves 14,500 clients per year for High Risk Prevention Services such as Gang prevention, Drug and Addiction Services and Mental Health for the counties of Multnomah, Washington and the Astoria area.Let’s thank organizations such as Lifeworks NW, for this not for profit serves 14,500 clients per year for High Risk Prevention Services such as Gang prevention, Drug and Addiction Services and Mental Health for the counties of Multnomah, Washington and the Astoria area.

13. And so, you ask if you are not serving today how do you get started? Like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. you start from where you are. It might be as simple as granting people informational interviews for jobs and careers that they seek. The time spent with both graduating students as well as people who have just lost a job goes a long way in serving. Your words of wisdom and inspiration might just lead them to employment; especially during an economic slow down as we see today. A time where the country has lost 500,000 jobs each month for the past two months; and with nearly 2.5 million Americans out of work in this country alone. And just this week, Oregon reached an all time high of 9% unemployment.And so, you ask if you are not serving today how do you get started? Like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. you start from where you are. It might be as simple as granting people informational interviews for jobs and careers that they seek. The time spent with both graduating students as well as people who have just lost a job goes a long way in serving. Your words of wisdom and inspiration might just lead them to employment; especially during an economic slow down as we see today. A time where the country has lost 500,000 jobs each month for the past two months; and with nearly 2.5 million Americans out of work in this country alone. And just this week, Oregon reached an all time high of 9% unemployment.

14. Let’s thank Nina Deconcini (Interim Administrator at DEQ - Environmental Quality) where she decided to stay the course until finally the State’s Wilsonville Coffee Creek Women’s prison allowed her to volunteer teach Yoga to the 1,200 women inmates who are so appreciative of the work she does. The work allows the inmates to refocus their lives mentally and physically. I asked Nina in the face of so many obstacles, why she does it. She said because it is worth it. She said she serves on several committees with others, but Yoga teaching was something she could dedicate from herself alone and she sees the difference it makes in the eyes of her students.Let’s thank Nina Deconcini (Interim Administrator at DEQ - Environmental Quality) where she decided to stay the course until finally the State’s Wilsonville Coffee Creek Women’s prison allowed her to volunteer teach Yoga to the 1,200 women inmates who are so appreciative of the work she does. The work allows the inmates to refocus their lives mentally and physically. I asked Nina in the face of so many obstacles, why she does it. She said because it is worth it. She said she serves on several committees with others, but Yoga teaching was something she could dedicate from herself alone and she sees the difference it makes in the eyes of her students.

15. Let’s thank Basketball Coach Ron Hunter from Indianapolis University who uses his role as a public figure and a leader, to create change by not wearing shoes during his team’s basketball games. With this simple act, he has inspired others to donate 300,000 shoes to Samaritan’s Feet- an organization which collects shoes for approximately 300 million children worldwide in developing countries. I truly believe that we all show up in life on a divine mission that only we can do. And if we discover what that is and we act on it, then we are better off, those we support win, and the whole world benefits. Only Ron Hunter could inspire 300,000 shoe donations because he wears no shoes during his basketball games. Only Nina DiConcini can motitvate the women inmates through Yoga because the way she teaches and her unrelenting motivation. Only those who showed up to learn to complete and fly went on to inspire a nation that helped break the color barrier in the Armed Services. "Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. Let’s thank Basketball Coach Ron Hunter from Indianapolis University who uses his role as a public figure and a leader, to create change by not wearing shoes during his team’s basketball games. With this simple act, he has inspired others to donate 300,000 shoes to Samaritan’s Feet- an organization which collects shoes for approximately 300 million children worldwide in developing countries. I truly believe that we all show up in life on a divine mission that only we can do. And if we discover what that is and we act on it, then we are better off, those we support win, and the whole world benefits. Only Ron Hunter could inspire 300,000 shoe donations because he wears no shoes during his basketball games. Only Nina DiConcini can motitvate the women inmates through Yoga because the way she teaches and her unrelenting motivation. Only those who showed up to learn to complete and fly went on to inspire a nation that helped break the color barrier in the Armed Services. "Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.

16. “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve!” SEGMENT 3. And so the question is, with all of this, how do you want to be remembered? In his words, Dr.King said “ If any of you are around when I have to meet my day, I don’t want a long funeral. And if you get somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell them not to talk too long. (Yes) And every now and then I wonder what I want them to say. But, tell them not to mention that I have a Nobel Peace Prize—that isn’t important. Tell them not to mention that I have three or four hundred other awards—that’s not important. Tell them not to mention where I went to school. (Yes) I'd like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to give his life serving others. (well) I'd like for somebody to say that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to love somebody.(yes) I want you to say that day that I tried to be right on the war question. (the Vietnam War of that day) I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry. (Yes) And I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked. I want you to say on that day that I did try in my life to visit those who were in prison. I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity. (Yes) Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. (Amen) Say that I was a drum major for peace. (Yes) I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter. (Yes) I won't have any money to leave behind. I won't have the fine and luxurious things of life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a committed life behind. (Amen) And that's all I want to say. If I can help somebody as I pass along, If I can cheer somebody with a word or song, If I can show somebody he's traveling wrong, Then my living will not be in vain. If I can do my duty as a Christian ought, If I can bring salvation to a world once wrought, If I can spread the message as the master taught, Then my living will not be in vain. SEGMENT 3. And so the question is, with all of this, how do you want to be remembered? In his words, Dr.King said “ If any of you are around when I have to meet my day, I don’t want a long funeral. And if you get somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell them not to talk too long. (Yes) And every now and then I wonder what I want them to say. But, tell them not to mention that I have a Nobel Peace Prize—that isn’t important. Tell them not to mention that I have three or four hundred other awards—that’s not important. Tell them not to mention where I went to school. (Yes) I'd like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to give his life serving others. (well) I'd like for somebody to say that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to love somebody.(yes) I want you to say that day that I tried to be right on the war question. (the Vietnam War of that day) I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry. (Yes) And I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked. I want you to say on that day that I did try in my life to visit those who were in prison. I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity. (Yes) Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. (Amen) Say that I was a drum major for peace. (Yes) I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter. (Yes) I won't have any money to leave behind. I won't have the fine and luxurious things of life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a committed life behind. (Amen) And that's all I want to say. If I can help somebody as I pass along, If I can cheer somebody with a word or song, If I can show somebody he's traveling wrong, Then my living will not be in vain. If I can do my duty as a Christian ought, If I can bring salvation to a world once wrought, If I can spread the message as the master taught, Then my living will not be in vain.

17. Martin Luther King Jr. wanted to be on the right side and the left side of what is right in the world, and not for any selfish reason. He wanted to be on the right or left side, not in terms of some political kingdom or ambition. But he just wanted to be there in love and in justice and in truth and in commitment to others, so that we can make of this old world a new world – Our PAST to our FUTURE! America is at the Cross Roads of Change! He wanted us to BELIEVE we could all be one people Realizing the Dream Together. Thank you very much, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr! R. Kelly "I Believe" Obama Inspired http://www.mwza.com/r-kelly-i-believe-obama-inspired/ R. Kelly I Believe Obama Inspired-R.Kelly has decided to celebrate Barack Obama's victory,with the release of a song titled I Believe.R. Kelly I Believe.Martin Luther King Jr. wanted to be on the right side and the left side of what is right in the world, and not for any selfish reason. He wanted to be on the right or left side, not in terms of some political kingdom or ambition. But he just wanted to be there in love and in justice and in truth and in commitment to others, so that we can make of this old world a new world – Our PAST to our FUTURE! America is at the Cross Roads of Change! He wanted us to BELIEVE we could all be one people Realizing the Dream Together. Thank you very much, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr! R. Kelly "I Believe" Obama Inspired http://www.mwza.com/r-kelly-i-believe-obama-inspired/ R. Kelly I Believe Obama Inspired-R.Kelly has decided to celebrate Barack Obama's victory,with the release of a song titled I Believe.R. Kelly I Believe.