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NEWS RELEASE

December 20, 2007

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23rd Annual Celebration of the Life of Civil Rights Leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – The Howard County Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission will present their 23rd Annual Celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Sunday, January 20 at 3:30 p.m. at Long Reach High School, 6101 Old Dobbin Lane, Columbia. This year’s theme is “The Importance of the Dream: 40 Years Later.” The celebration is free to the public.

This year’s celebration will include:

• Speakers and entertainment from throughout the Washington-Baltimore region with this year’s keynote speaker, Carl O. Snowden, who was appointed by the Maryland Attorney General as the first Director of Civil Rights;
• Audrey Barnes a reporter for W*USA 9 News -Washington, D.C. will emcee the event. Ms. Barnes, twice nominated, won an Emmy award for her documentary on the world renowned Joffrey School of Ballet;
• Entertainment will include musical selections by Annie Dash and Ron Oaks, and a performance by Slam Poet Extraordinaire, Gayle Danley; and
• The Howard County Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday Commission will also present its Commission Award to a person exemplifying the spirit of Dr. King’s message. Cash awards will also be given to student contest winners from Howard County for their essays related to Dr. King and his legacy.

To highlight the compassion and service of Dr. King, the Commission is asking that attendees bring a canned food item to the event in support of their canned food drive. There will also be an opportunity to sign-up for Community Service Projects which will be held on Monday, January 21, 2008.

A sign language interpreter is available by calling the Department of Citizen Services, TTY 410-313-6401, at least seven business days prior to the program. For more information on this event, contact the Office of Human Rights at 410-313-6430.