February 28, 2007 |
|---|
Thank you. Thank you, Mike.
My teeth are still intact. I cut them here and they're intact. (Laughter)
I want to thank the Speaker for giving us the historical perspective on some of the historical monuments and figures here. I want to thank Dr. Papenfuse, you and your staff, for, really, uncovering this treasure, this historical fact and this connection that you bring to us of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to Maryland. So thank you very much.
Ms. Fletcher, thank you very much for your artistic contribution to what we're doing today, this rededication ceremony. Thank you.
And I want to thank Senator Jones, as chairman of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus, and all the members of the caucus who are here today, as we rededicate ourselves to the legacy of Dr. King. I want to thank each and every one of you for being here as well and for your service to the people of Maryland.
It is befitting that we are rededicating this tree and honoring the legacy of Dr. King on this last day of Black History Month. It's a month in which we celebrate the journey of the descendants of African Americans in this country. It's a month in which we recognize the millions of Africans who suffered, sacrificed, and struggled in transforming this country from thirteen colonies to the United States of America.
It's a month in which we celebrate the millions of Negroes, free and enslaved, who struggled and suffered and built this country into one of the most prosperous nations in the history of the world.
It is this month that we celebrate the millions of blacks who contributed to the political, the social, the spiritual, the economic development of this land of opportunity. It is this month that we celebrate the millions of African Americans without whom this country never would have become the land of the free and the home of the brave. (Applause)
Dr. King reminded us often that human progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability, but is the result of the persistent effort and the tireless work of men and women who are willing to be coworkers with God.
So today, let us join together, as those men and women, in a hard work and persistent effort, so that we can continue that legacy, the legacy of equality and justice, a legacy that the members of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus fight for each and every day. And a legacy that I am proud to say that is part of the O'Malley/Brown administration.
We will work together with the caucus, with the people of Maryland, with each and every one of you to secure a future of progress and success, not only for African Americans, but for all people in America.
And with that, I want to thank you for allowing me to participate in this afternoon's ceremony and God bless each and every one of you. And I ask you to help me invite Governor O'Malley to the podium now. (Applause)