Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Day Community Commemoration Jan. 16

This annual event is held to reflect on King's contributions to the cause of the civil rights of all people and the continued struggle for peace in the world today. This year's program is dedicated to Rosa Parks, often referred to as the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement," who passed away, October 24, 2005.

This year's featured speaker is Marlene Fields, director of the Educational Opportunity Program at SUNY Plattsburgh. Fields is also the chair of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, which she joined in 1992.

Fields is originally from Brooklyn, N.Y. She received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from SUNY Oswego and her master's of education degree from Antioch Graduate School of Education in Ohio.

The program will also feature musical selections from the Dr. Martin Luther King Day Community Singers and the New Jerusalem Baptist Church Youth Choir.

The annual Dr. King Day celebration, sponsored by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission of Clinton County, is supported by contributions from the Mayor's Office of the City of Plattsburgh, Sodexho Campus Services and the College Community Newman Center.

A free-will offering will be taken during the celebration to benefit the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Commission Scholarship Fund. In addition, 2006 Blackfax calendars, which also benefit the scholarship fund, will be available for purchase. The fund provides annual scholarships to local high school students pursuing post-secondary educational goals. The 2005 MLK scholarship recipients were Julie Hammons and Sarah Jackstadt, both graduates of Saranac Central High School. Hammons is attending Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y., and Jackstadt is attending SUNY Albany.

The commemoration is open to everyone and all are invited to attend.

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