Granholm Honors Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Encourages Citizens to Volunteer on National Day of Service

Press Release

Granholm Honors Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Encourages Citizens to Volunteer on National Day of Service

Governor's radio address reflects on life of MLK, national day of service, inauguration

In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said that on Monday, January 19, Americans across the world will reflect on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and encouraged citizens to honor his legacy by volunteering on the national King Day of Service.

"He spent his life seeking, navigating, and guiding us toward the Promised Land. He commanded the great ship of social change, its decks packed with weary travelers, and he said, ‘The sea is rough, and you are tired, but we will get there,'" Granholm said. "And here we are in 2009. We have traveled far through troubled waters. But as we, and the rest of the world, prepare to watch the historic inauguration of the nation's first African American president, we feel rejuvenated."

The governor also emphasized that in honor of MLK Day, she and her family, along with thousands of volunteers, will participate in the national King Day of Service to celebrate his legacy, turning community concerns into community action. Granholm said that the national day of service gives people of different backgrounds the opportunity to come together for a common cause that can help to break down the barriers and misunderstandings that have divided us in the past.

"At this moment of great purpose and great promise, President-elect Obama wants to re-ignite the spirit of service in our nation and is calling on all Americans to make a lasting commitment to renew their communities," Granholm said. "On Monday, my family and I will answer that call by volunteering to assemble care packages for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is my hope that you, too, will answer that call to service in your own way, in your own community."

The governor's weekly radio address is released each Friday morning and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state. The address is available on the governor's Web site at ( www.michigan.gov/gov ) for download, together with a clip of the quote above.

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
Radio Address - MLK Day, Day of Service, Inauguration

This is Governor Jennifer M. Granholm

Next week, Americans from across the nation will take a moment to pause to reflect on the life of a man whose words inspired a nation and sparked a movement of civil rights that brought about significant social change - a man who had a dream for a new way of life, whose commitment to change is intertwined with the American experience… on Monday, we will reflect on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. King once said, "We must use time creatively and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do what is right." And the time is ripe, my friends - now, more than ever. Never has it been more important to come together in shared purpose to tackle the common challenges we face.

He spent his life seeking, navigating, and guiding us toward the Promised Land. He commanded the great ship of social change, its decks packed with weary travelers, and he said, "The sea is rough and you are tired, but we will get there."

And here we are in 2009. We have traveled far through troubled waters. But as we, and the rest of the world, prepare to watch the historic inauguration of the nation's first African American president, we feel rejuvenated.

Monday, in honor of Dr. King, thousands of volunteers will participate in the national King Day of Service to celebrate his legacy, turning community concerns into community action. The day gives people of different backgrounds the opportunity to come together for a common cause that can help to break down the barriers and misunderstandings that have divided us in the past.

At this moment of great purpose and great promise, President-elect Obama wants to re-ignite the spirit of service in our nation and is calling on all Americans to make a lasting commitment to renew their communities. On Monday, my family and I will answer that call by volunteering to assemble care packages for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is my hope that you, too, will answer that call to service in your own way, in your own community.

Let us be reminded that one of our nation's greatest strengths is the diversity of its people, their ideas, and their talents. When we bring together men and women of different backgrounds and different ways of seeing the world points of view, we create an environment of acceptance and spark transformation both for our world and ourselves.

Make no mistake about it, Dr. King's dream still lives. It lives in our hearts. It lives in this state and this country. And it lives in our hopes for tomorrow.

Thanks for listening.

Source