LIVE FROM THE MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER, THE 17th ANNUAL Dr.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., HOLIDAY BREAKFAST.

FEATURING KEYNOTE SPEAKER VICE CHAIR OF THE NAACP'S NATIONAL BOARDS OF DIRECTORS, Ms.

ROSLYN McCALLS TIER BROCK.

YOUR HOST OF CEREMONIES, HOSPITAL ROBYNE ROBINSON.

AND THE EXCITING MUSIC OF 4GIVEN.

♪ GOD OF OUR SILENT TEARS ♪ ♪ ♪ THOU WHO HAS DIED FOR US, TO LET US INTO THE LIGHT ♪ ♪ KEEP US FOREVER IN THY PATH, WE PRAY ♪ ♪ LET HEARTS BEAT STRAIGHT FROM THE PLACES OUR GOD WHERE WE MET THEE ♪ ♪ LET OUR HEARTS DRUNK WITH THE WINE OF THE WORLD WE FORGET THEE ♪ ♪ ♪ MAY WE FORE-EVER STAND ♪ ♪ TRUE TO OUR GOD, TRUE TO OUR NAME ♪ ♪ 'TIL THE LAST ♪ [ Applause ].

>> YOU ARE ENJOYING THE SELECTIONS AND MUSIC BY 4 GIVEN, A LOCAL GROUP, UP AND COMING YOUNG GOSPEL QUARTET, FOUR SIEBLTION, NINE TO 13, AND THEY PERFORMED IN SOUTH AFRICA AND ALL OVER THE WORLD AS WELL AS OTHER NATIONAL EVENTS.

LET'S GIVE THEM ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

[ Applause ].

>> I KNOW MOST OF YOU ENJOYED THEM BECAUSE MOST OF YOU CAN'T CARRY A TUNE.

[ Laughter ] >> AND YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO SING YOURSELVES SO YOU KIND OF MUMBLED THROUGH IT.

HUH, HUH, 'CUZ YOU DON'T KNOW THE WORDS EITHER.

WE'RE GLAD THAT THEY SAKE, THEY'LL SING FOR US LATER ON, TOO.

I'M GOING TO INTRO DUE THE MEMBERS THAT ARE HEATED AT OUR HEAD TABLE.

WE'RE THRILLED TO HAVE THE NOTABILITIES HERE AS WELL AS OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER ROSELYNN BROCK.

THE REVEREND BYRON MOORE WHO GAVE THE IN SLOW INDICATION.

[ Applause ].

ELLEN GOLDBERG LUGER.

[ Applause ].

>> DENISE HOLLOMAN MISS ROSELYNN BROCK FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

[ Applause ].

>> AND DEBORAH TANSIL GRAHAM.

BEFORE I TURN THE PROGRAM OVER TO Ms.

HOLLOMAN, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT HER.

AS CHAIRPERSON OF THE M.L.K.

BREAKFAST PLANNING COMMITTEE, MS.

HOLLOMAN HAS SHOWN IMMENSE LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT THROUGHOUT THE PLANNING PROCESS.

SHE HAS BEEN WITH GENERAL MILLS FOR TEN YEARS AND HAS HELD VARIOUS ROLES IN ENGINEERING DURING THIS TIME.

SHE IS CURRENTLY THE DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING, ENGINEERING AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING MS.

DENISE HOLLOMAN TO THE PODIUM.

[ Applause ].

>> GOOD MORNING.

WELCOME TO THE 17th ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY BREAKFAST.

TO OUR CONVENTION CENTER AUDIENCE, THANK YOU FOR NOT BEING DETERRED BY THE WEATHER OUTSIDE.

THE LAST FEW WINTERS HAVE SOFTENED US A BIT.

FOR THOSE VIEWING THIS FROM OUR FIVE SATELLITE LOCATIONS IN St.

PAUL AND DULUTH, AND VIA TPT, THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS EVENT A CORNERSTONE IN YOUR CELEBRATION.

ADDITIONALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE SOME OF OUR GUESTS PRESENT THIS MORNING.

U.S.

SENATORS, NORM COLEMAN AND AMY KLOBUCHAR.

[ Applause ].

>> I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE UNTIL I GET THROUGH THE ENTIRE LIST, OAK?

MINNESOTA GOVERNOR, TIM PAWLENTY, U.S.

REPRESENTATIVES BETTY McCOLLUM AND KEITH ELLISON.

SECRETARY OF STATE, MARK RITCHIE.

MAYORS R.T.

RYBAK AND CHRIS COLEMAN, MINNEAPOLIS OF THE HENNEPIN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND MEMBERS OF THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

[ Applause ].

[ Applause ].

>> WE ARE HERE TO CELEBRATE THE MAN WHO WAS THE CATALYST FOR CHANGES IN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS AND HUMAN RIGHTS REFORM WORLDWIDE.

DURING THE PAST NINE MONTHS, IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE ON THE COMMITTEE FOR THIS EVENT.

COMPRISED OF 26 WONDERFULLY TALENTED AND DEDICATED PEOPLE.

HOW OFTEN IN LIFE DOES THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENT ITSELF FOR YOU TO BE A PART OF A CELEBRATION FOR SOMEONE SO NEAR AND DEAR TO YOUR HEART.

FOR ME, MARTIN LUTHER KING IS NOT SOME DISTANT FIGURE IN HISTORY.

YOU SEE, I AM A CHILD OF THE 1960s SOUTH.

FOR ME, Dr.

KING IS NOT AN ENIGMA, HE WAS A MAN WHO HELPED THOSE OF US LIVING UNDER THE SCURGE OF SEGREGATION, POVERTY AND SUBSTANDARD EDUCATION KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THAT WE MATTERED.

HE WAS A MAN WHO HELPED US KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THAT ANYTHING WORTH HAVING IN LIFE WAS WORTH FIGHTING FOR AND, IN SOME CASES, WORTH DYING FOR.

HE TAUGHT US TO HOLD OUR HEADS HIGH, EVEN WHEN LIFE'S BURDENS HAD BEATEN US DOWN.

THROUGH HIS DREAM, HE PROVIDED SO MANY OF US WITH THE INSPIRATION TO DREAM FOR OURSELVES.

MORE THAN ANYTHING, HE PROVIDED US A MORAL COMPASS.

HE TAUGHT US THAT DESPITE THE OPPRESSION AND BRUTALITY OF OUR SITUATION, AND IN HIS WORDS, HATE IS TOO GREAT A BURDEN TO BEAR.

HE TAUGHT US THAT COMMUNITY IS NOT YOUR KIND BUT MANKIND, AND HE TAUGHT US THAT COMMITMENT IS SELFLESS, AND HE TAUGHT US THAT COMMITMENT IS LOVE.

SO ON THE 78th ANNIVERSARY OF Dr.

KING'S BIRTH, THIS 39th YEAR SINCE HIS PASSING, WE CELEBRATE A WORLD SO MUCH BETTER BECAUSE OF HIS 39 YEARS HERE.

WE ARE CHILDREN OF THE DREAM, BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH COMMITMENT.

[ Applause ].

>> SO BEFORE I LEAVE THE STAGE, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE OUR HOST OF CEREMONIES THIS MORNING.

SHE IS Ms.

ROBYNE ROBINSON.

ROBYNE IS THE NEWS ANCHOR FOR KMSP, FOX 9.

SHE HOLDS THE DISTINCTION OF BEING THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO ANCHOR A LOCAL SUPREMETIME NEWSCAST AND SHE IS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN APPOINTED SENIOR ANCHOR AT A TWIN CITIES NEWS ORGANIZATION.

WELCOME BACK, Ms.

ROBINSON.

[ Applause ].

>> THANK YOU, DENISE.

IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW, NOW YOU KNOW.

THAT'S WHY YOU WATCH AT 5:00 AND 9:00.

GOT BEST.

I'M JUST PLAYING.

[ Laughter ] I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE DEBORAH TANSIL GRAHAM, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR FOR THE UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND.

UNCF IS THE NATION'S LARGEST, OLDEST, AND MOST SUCCESSFUL MINORITY HIGHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATION.

THE ORGANIZATION HAS RAISED MORE THAN $2 BILLION TO HELP STUDENTS ATTAIN A HIGHER EDUCATION.

UNCF BOASTS OF NOTABLE ALUMNI, INCLUDING DR.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

AND WHEN YOU SEE HER AFTER THIS PROGRAM, YOU MAKE A DONATION.

NOW, I'D LIKE TO TURN IT OVER TO MS.

DEBORAH TANSIL GRAHAM.

[ Applause ].

>> THANK YOU, ROBYN.

GOOD MORNING, MINNESOTA.

AS A NEW RESIDENT OF THE TWIN CITIES, I AM HONORED AND HUMBLED TO REPRESENT THE UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND ON THIS CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF DR.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

THANK YOU TO THE GENERAL MILLS FOUNDATION AND THE MEMBERS OF THE BREAKFAST COMMITTEE FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO THIS EVENT AND UNCF.

UNCF IS GRATEFUL TO GENERAL MILLS NOT ONLY FOR THEIR PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT BUT ALSO FOR PROVIDING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HONOR THE IMPORTANCE AND IMPACT OF DR.

KING'S WORK.

UNCF IS PROUD TO BOAST OF MARTIN LUTHER KING BEING ONE OF OVER 300,000 UNCF GRADUATES WHO HAVE AND CONTINUE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

[ Applause ].

THEY ARE PROFESSIONALS FROM ANESTHETISTS TO ZOOLOGISTS AND CIVIC LEADERS EXTRAODINAIRE.

LIKE OUR GUEST SPEAKER THIS MORNING, Ms.

ROSE BIN BROCK.

ALTHOUGH TODAY IS NOT A FUNDRAISER FOR UNCF, IT IS A CELEBRATION OF DREAMS AND WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN ONE INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANIZATION IS COMMITTED TO CHANGE BASED ON AN UNWAVERING BELIEF IN THE GOODNESS OF MANKIND.

THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF INDIVIDUALS AND THE PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY, UNCF IS ABLE TO TURN THE DREAM OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION INTO A REALITY FOR OVER 65,000 STUDENTS ACROSS AMERICA.

STUDENTS LIKE RACHEL HARDEMAN, A NATIVE OF MINNEAPOLIS, WHO GRADUATED XAVIER UNVIERSITY, A UNCF INSTITUTION, STUDIED IN HAVANA, CUBA, AND IS NOW COMPLETING HER GRADUATE STUDY IN PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY ON A UNCF SCHOLARSHIP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

MARTIN LUTHER KING DREAMED OF A SOCIETY GROUNDED IN EQUALITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE, A ROLE MODEL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE STUDYING IN CLASSROOMS OF THE 39 UNCF MEMBER SCHOOLS.

UPON GRADUATION, THEY WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SELF-ASSURANCE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE GROWTH OF THE TWIN CITIES AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS AMERICA.

I HAVE SEEN THE TRANSFORMATION OF YOUNG AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN WHO WALK THE SAME HALLS THAT DR.

KING WALKED AT MOREHOUSE COLLEGE, EAGER TO LEARN, TO GROW, GIVE BACK, AND CONTRIBUTE.

THEY KNOW HIS LEGACY, UNDERSTAND HIS STRUGGLES, CAN QUOTE EXCERPTS FROM HIS SPEECHES, AND UNDERSTAND THEIR AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY "TO REPRESENT."

DR.

KING ONCE SAID, "OUR NETTLESOME TASK IS TO DISCOVER HOW TO ORGANIZE OUR STRENGTH INTO COMPELLING POWER."

I CHALLENGE EACH OF YOU TO THINK ABOUT YOUR STRENGTHS AND HOW THEY CAN BE USED TO BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY.

I BELIEVE DR.

KING WOULD ASK, "ARE YOU WILLING TO MAKE A COMMITMENT?"

THANK YOU.

[ Applause ].

>> THANK YOU, DEBORAH.

>> ELLEN GOLDBERG LUGER IS CURRENTLY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE GENERAL MILLS FOUNDATION AND VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL MILLS, INC.

HER RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF THE FOUNDATION AS WELL AS PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES FOR SOCIAL SERVICES AND ARTS AND CULTURE GRANT-MAKING AT THE FOUNDATION.

PRIOR TO JOINING THE GENERAL MILLS FOUNDATION IN AUGUST OF 1997, MS.

LUGER PRACTICED CORPORATE LAW FOR 10 YEARS.

MS.

LUGER GRADUATED FROM WELLESLEY COLLEGE IN 1983 AND EARNED A B.A.

WITH HONORS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND SOCIOLOGY.

AFTER WELLESLEY, MS.

LUGER EARNED HER J.D.

FROM GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY LAW CENTER WHERE SHE SERVED AS ARTICLES AND NOTES EDITOR FOR THE "AMERICAN CRIMINAL LAW REVIEW."

LAST OF ALL, SHE DID A GREAT JOB ON THE CAMPAIGN WITH ANDY.

PLEASE WELCOME, ELLEN LUGER.

APPLAUSE >> THANK YOU, ROBYN.

ON BEHALF OF THE GENERAL MILLS FOUNDATION, I AM PLEASED TO WELCOME YOU TO THIS WONDERFUL EVENT CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF DR.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, THE GENERAL MILLS FOUNDATION HAS "NOURISHED OUR COMMUNITIES," INVESTING OVER $380 MILLION IN THE TWIN CITIES AND IN MORE THAN 30 COMMUNITIES AROUND THE GLOBE.

TO CELEBRATE OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY, AND IN RECOGNITION OF DR.

KING'S LEGACY, WE CREATED A SPECIAL GRANTS PROGRAM SEVERAL YEARS AGO, "CELEBRATING COMMUNITIES OF COLOR."

TO DATE, THIS PROGRAM HAS AWARDED $1.5 MILLION TO 150 TWIN CITIES NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE PEOPLE OF COLOR.

THESE GRANTS ARE IN ADDITION TO OUR ONGOING GRANT-MAKING AND HAVE FUNDED MANY UNIQUE PROGRAMS, REACHING OVER 100,000 PEOPLE.

THE GRANTS INCLUDE THE HEALTHY PARENTS/HEALTHY CHILDREN PROGRAM, WHERE FAMILIES COME FOR HELP IN RAISING THEIR CHILDREN OR LEARNING A NEW LIFE IN THIS COUNTRY.

THE PROGRAM, OPERATED BY C.L.U.E.S, HELPS ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED LATINO FAMILIES.

ANOTHER PROGRAM, LITTLE EARTH YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER, PROVIDES COMPUTERS, INTERNET ACCESS, DIGITAL RECORDING SUPPLIES AND EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE TO STUDENTS LIVING IN THE LITTLE EARTH COMMUNITY.

THE CENTER OFFERS A SAFE ALTERNATIVE FOR AMERICAN INDIAN YOUTH.

THESE EXAMPLES ARE JUST A FEW OF THE 50 PROGRAMS THAT WERE AWARDED GRANTS.

THE FULL LIST OF GRANTEES SELECTED THIS YEAR ARE LISTED ON A CARD AT YOUR TABLE AND ON OUR WEBSITE.

BECAUSE THIS GRANTS PROGRAM HAS SUCCEEDED IN BUILDING NEW RELATIONSHIPS AND IN REACHING INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS SERVING THOSE IN NEED, I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE GENERAL MILLS FOUNDATION WILL CONTINUE THIS PROGRAM IN 2007.

WE INVITE YOU TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IT ON OUR WEBSITE.

I WOULD LIKE TO CONCLUDE MY REMARKS BY HIGHLIGHTING ANOTHER SPECIAL PARTNERSHIP AMONG GENERAL MILLS, THE YWCA, CARGILL, AND BEST BUY.

TOGETHER WE ARE SPONSORING THE CIVIL RIGHTS MUSICAL, "IF THIS HAT COULD TALK," FOR TWIN CITIES AUDIENCES AND SCHOOL PERFORMANCES IN FEBRUARY.

THE MUSICAL BRINGS THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT TO LIFE, HIGHLIGHTING THE WORK OF DR.

DOROTHY HEIGHT.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO ATTEND THIS SPECIAL SHOW.

YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SHOW AT YOUR TABLE.

WE AT GENERAL MILLS LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE IMPORTANT LEGACY OF DR.

KING BY WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD A SOCIETY IN WHICH ALL PEOPLE HAVE A CHANCE TO REALIZE THEIR DREAMS.

THANK YOU.

[ Applause ].

>> THANK YOU, ELLEN.

AT THIS TIME, WE WOULD LIKE TO CELEBRATE THE LEGENDS AMONG US WITH A SEGMENT WE CALL LOCAL LEGENDS.

>> MILLION FORD JOHNSON AND LOTTO HAVE DEDICATED THE LAST 11 YEARS OF THEIR LIVES TO MENTORING YOUNG MEN FROM 7 TO 15 YEARS OLD.

THEY WERE INSPIRED TO BEGIN THEIR MENTORING PROGRAM AFTER ATTENDING THE HISTORIC MILLION-MAN MARCH IN 1995.

EVERY SATURDAY MORNING, BROTHER JOHNSON AND BROTHER ROSS COMBINE MENTORING, FELLOWSHIP, RESPECT, BROTHERHOOD AND LOVE WITH LESSONS ON HISTORY AND CULTURE, TO REINFORCE WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A RESPECTFUL YOUNG BLACK MAN WHO HAS A FUTURE IN THE COMMUNITY.

THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM THEY LEARN THAT RECONCILIATION IS ONE OF THE FIRST STEPS TO TRUE MANHOOD.

BROTHER JOHNSON AND BROTHER ROSS ALSO TEACH THE YOUNG MEN TO DEAL WITH CONFLICTS, USING THE EIGHT STEPS OF ATONEMENT SO THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN YOUNG PEOPLE DON'T ESCALATE INTO SENSELESS ACTS OF VIOLENCE.

REMARKABLY, BROTHER JOHNSON AND BROTHER ROSS USE THEIR OWN MONEY TO OPERATE THE PROGRAM.

OVER THE YEARS, THE MEN HAVE NOT ONLY FED THE BOYS BUT IN MANY CASES, GIVEN THEM RIDES TO MEETINGS, AND ATTENDED SCHOOL ATHLETIC GAMES IN A SHOW OF SUPPORT.

THEY'VE WORKED WITH TEACHERS AND PARENTS TO HELP MONITOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN SCHOOL AND, ON OCCASION, HAVE EVEN PROVIDED FAMILIES WITH MONEY FOR FOOD AND OTHER NECESSITIES THAT THE FAMILIES COULDN'T AFFORD.

FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, THE GENERAL MILLS FOUNDATION AND THE UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUNDS ARE PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE BROTHER MILLFORD JOHNSON AND BROTHER MOWOTTO ROSS AS TWO MINNESOTA LOCAL LEGENDS.

[ Applause ].

>> BEVERLY HAS BEEN AN INSPIRING COMMUNITY LEADER IN THE HEALTH CARE FIELD.

FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS, SHE'S WORKED AS A PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, A SITE COORDINATOR FOR VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA, AND A PARENT LIAISON FOR OVER TEN YEARS AT LUCY LANEY HIGH SCHOOL IN MINNEAPOLIS.

THE COMMUNITIES COUNTS ON BEVERLY AS A TRUSTED RESOURCE FOR NEEDED HELP IN EDUCATION AND INFORMATION.

SHE'S BEEN CALLED UPON TO FACILITATE INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS ON A WIDE VARIETY OF HEALTH ISSUES, RANGING FROM ALZHEIMER'S TO DIABETES.

SHE'S FOCUSED ON CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE PRERCHG AT HER CHURCH AND HAS ORGANIZED HEART HEALTHY EVENTS AND HAS EDUCATED THE COMMUNITIES ABOUT THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE OF HEART DISEASE AND STROKE.

SHE ALSO WORKS TO DECREASE DISPARITIES BETWEEN AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND CAW CARE ON POPULATIONS IN AREAS SUCH AS THE TREATMENT OF DIABETES.

SHE'S THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD AT NORTHPOINT HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER, AND HAS SERVED WITH NUMEROUS ORGANIZATIONS TO DEVELOP POLICIES THEIR VITAL TO THE HEALTH OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

BEVERLY WORKS TIRELESSLY TO MAKE HEALTH CARE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE TO THE UNINSURED, THE UNDERINSURED AND THOSE LIVING IN POVERTY.

BEVERLY'S GIFT OF TIME, COMMITMENT, LABOR AND CANDOR HAVE BEEN INVALUABLE TO THE COMMUNITY.

FOR HER OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP, THE GENERAL MILLS FOUNDATION AND THE UNITED KNEE GLOW COLLEGE FUND ARE PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE BEVERLY PROEPS AS A 2007 LOCAL LEGEND.

[ Applause ].

>> FOUNDED THE CIRCLE OF DISCIPLINE IN 1993.

A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION PROVIDES YOUNG PEOPLE WITH ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS AND ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES.

THE GOAL IS TO EMPOWER THEM TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND BECOME POSITIVE LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY.

BEFORE FOUNDING CIRCLE OF DISCIPLINE, BENCARA VOLUNTEERED AS AN AMATEUR BOXING CHURCH FOR OVER 15 YEARS.

HE'S DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE OVERCOME OBSTACLE BY WORKING WITH THEM ON ISSUES SUCH AS HEALTH, EDUCATION, REPAIRING FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AND OVERCOMING DRUGS AND GANGS.

HE FOLLOWS FOUR CORE VALUES, INCLUDING PROVIDING A DISCIPLINED FAMILY-ORIENTED GROUP SETTING FOR HIGH-RISK, INNER CITY YOUNG PEOPLE OF ALL RACIAL AND ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS, AND PREVENTING CHEMICAL ABUSE, TRUANCY, AND DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR BY PROVIDING CONSTRUCTIVE, INNOVATIVE AND SAFE PROGRAMMING.

HE HAS PART IN OTHER WORDS WITH THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT, HENNEPIN COUNTY AND MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IN 2004, HE RECEIVED THE AVY AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE FROM ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL.

LIVES HAVE BEEN CHANGED BY SANCARRA'S WORK.

HE RECENTLY HELPED AN 18-YEARS OLD WHO HAD BEEN IN JAIL OBTAIN A G.E.D.

AND ENROLL IN COMMUNITIES.

MANY OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NOW GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AND PARTICIPATING IN THE CIRCLE OF DISCIPLINE, SERVING ON THE BOARDS OF COMMUNITY GROUPS, WORKING IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WITH TROUBLED YOUTH.

IN SHORT, THEY'RE PASSING ON THE INVALUABLE LIFE LESSONS THEY'VE LEARNED FROM SANCARRA.

FOR HIS OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES, THE GENERAL MILLS FOUNDATION AND UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUNDS ARE PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE SANCARRA FRAZIER AS A 2007 LOCAL LEGEND.

[ Applause ].

>> GREAT WORK BY THESE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

LET'S GIVE ANOTHER ROUNDS OF APPLAUSE TO OUR 2007 LOCAL LEGENDS, MILLFORD JOHNSON, MORATTA ROSS, BETSY PROEPS, AND SANCARRA FRAZIER.

[ Applause ].

♪ ♪ SCATTING ♪ ♪ HAVE YOU HEARD THE STORY OF THE MAN WHO HAD A DREAM ♪ ♪ AND HE HAD THE MIND OF A GREAT TEAM ♪ ♪ WOULDN'T YOU LET ME BREAK IT DOWN,.

HE HAD A DREAM ♪ ♪ THAT CHILDREN EVERYWHERE WOULD WALK AROUND WITH A SMILE, NO, NOT A FROWN ♪ ♪ HE FOUGHT FOR OUR PEOPLE, DIDN'T MATTER WHAT THE AIMING ♪ ♪ HIS LEADERSHIP WITH OTHERS ALLOWS US TO STAND HERE AND SING ON THIS STAGE ♪ ♪ BECAUSE THE CHILDREN OF THE DREAM, EVERYBODY LET'S WAKE UP AND DREAM ♪ ♪ OH, YES, WE'RE CHILDREN OF THE DREAM, EVERYBODY, EVERYBODY, LET'S WAKE UP AND DREAM ♪ ♪ ♪ CHILDREN EVERYWHERE, WHO BELIEVED IN A DREAM OF THIS MAN ♪ ♪ SEGREGATION AND HIS DREAM, HE GAVE US A LEG JUST TO STAND ♪ ♪ AND THROUGH SO MUCH HEARTACHE, DESPITE THE ODDS, HE HAD TO SAY ♪ ♪ HE TOLD THE PEOPLE, DON'T LOOK BACK, DON'T LOOK BACK, DON'T LOOK BACK ♪ ♪ TRY TO KEEP ON GOING ♪ ♪ HIS CHALLENGE WAS THAT HE WAS PULLING FOR THE FIGHT ♪ ♪ FIGHTING FOR OUR CIVIL RIGHTS ♪ ♪ YOU BET HE SAID, ON YOUR MARK, NOW LET'S GO, TOLD THE WORLD AND LEGALITY THEM KNOW ♪ ♪ STABBINGS AND SHOOTINGS, AND BOMBINGS AND PADDY WAGONS, DEATH THREATS, OVER AND OVER THE DREAMS ARE REPEATED ♪ ♪ THERE WERE DOG FIGHTS, A WHOLE LOT OF WALKING ♪ ♪ CIVIL RIGHTS SPEECHES, BRILLIANT TALKING ♪ ♪ HE SAID NONVIOLENCE IS EMBRACING THE LORD ♪ ♪ HE KNEW THE CHILDREN WOULD ALL BE RESTORED ♪ ♪ BECAUSE THE CHILDREN OF THE DREAM ♪ ♪ EVERYBODY THAT WOULD WAKE UP AND DREAM ♪ ♪ OH, YES, WE'RE CHILDREN OF THE DREAM ♪ ♪ EVERYBODY, EVERYBODY, LET'S WAKE UP AND DREAM ♪ ♪ THE PROUD CHILDREN OF THE DREAM ♪ ♪ EVERYONE, EVERYBODY, LET'S WAKE UP AND DREAM ♪ ♪ THE DREAM OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, EVERYBODY,.

EVERYBODY, EVERYBODY, EVERYBODY, LET'S WAKE UP AND DREAM ♪ [ Applause ].

>> THANK YOU 4 GIVEN.

DON'T THINK YOU CAN GO HOME WITH YOUR KIDS AND MAKE A QUARTET.

IT TAKES TALENT.

THEY'RE GOOD.

>> WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE MS.

ROSLYN BROCK AS OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR THIS YEAR'S MARTIN LUTHER KING BREAKFAST.

MS.

BROCK IS VICE CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE'S NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

SHE ALSO SERVES ON THE NAACP'S NATIONAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

AT THE AGE OF 35, SHE WAS THE YOUNGEST AND THE FIRST WOMAN TO BE ELECTED AS VICE CHAIRWOMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN THE ORGANIZATION'S HISTORY.

MS.

BROCK IS DIRECTOR OF SYSTEM FUND DEVELOPMENT FOR BON SECOURS HEALTH SYSTEM, INC.

IN MARIOTTSVILLE, MARYLAND.

PRIOR TO THAT, SHE SPENT 10 YEARS AT THE W.K.

KELLOGG FOUNDATION AS A PROGRAM OFFICER FOR HEALTH PROGRAMS.

SHE EARNED HER BACHELORS DEGREE FROM VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY, A MASTER'S DEGREE IN HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION FROM GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, AND AN MBA FROM THE KELLOGG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY.

MS.

BROCK IS A MEMBER OF SEVERAL PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE NATIONAL BLACK MBA ASSOCIATION AND AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION.

SHE HAS ALSO RECEIVED NUMEROUS HEALTH CARE, COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND LEADERSHIP AWARDS.

IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO WELCOME MS.

ROSLYN BROCK TO THE PODIUM.

[ Applause ].

>> THANK YOU.

BUILT BY THE GRACE OF GOD I AM WHAT I AM.

AND I OFFER NO APOLOGIES THIS MORNING FOR MY RACE OR FOR MY COLOR.

GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING!

>> IT IS INDEEDS AN HONOR FOR ME TO BE HERE.

I WAS SO HAPPY WHEN THE INVITATION WAS EXTENDED TO ME BY THE GENERAL MILLS FOUNDATION AND THE UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND TO COME AND TO SHARE WITH YOU THIS MORNING ON THE 17th ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE AND THE LEGACY OF OUR BELOVED Dr.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

YOU KNOW, EACH YEAR DURING THIS TIME, I, LIKE OTHER AFRICAN-AMERICANS, MENTALLY PREPARE OURSELVES FOR ROUNDING RE DIGS OF "I HAVE A DREAM" SPEECHES FROM PODIUMS, PULPITS, PEWS AND PARKS ACROSS THE LENGTH AND BREADTH OF THIS NATION.

WE LISTEN ATENTTIVELY AS THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT'S BATTLE HYMN IS SONG BY MULTI-CULTURAL BANDS OF STARRY-EYED SCHOOL CHILDREN, LOCKED ARM IN ARM IN AND EXTRICABLE WEBB OF DESTINY AND A NETWORK OF MUTUALITY, AS THEY ENERGETICALLY PROCLAIM WITH UNDENIABLE CERTAINTY THAT WE SHALL OVERCOME.

BUT AS WE SIT AND LISTEN IN THE MEMORIES OF THE '50s AND '60s FADE INTO THE DEEP, DARK RECESSES OF AMERICAN HISTORY, WE PAUSE TO TAKE STOCK OF THE DREAM AND THE DREAMER, AND WE ASK OURSELVES THE QUESTION, DEEP IN OUR HEARTS, DO WE REALLY BELIEVE THAT WE SHALL OVERCOME.

THEN WE WAIT, WE TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND WE EXHALE.

AND JOIN WITH THE CHOIR AS THEY LIVE THEIR -- THEY LIFT THEIR VOICES IN THE FINAL EXUBERANT CORD OF THAT GREAT HYMN, WE SHALL OVERCOME.

SOME DAY.

BUT IS THAT DAY TODAY?

IT'S FRIGHTENING TO THINK THAT MORE THAN 40 YEARS AFTER Dr.

KING SHARED HIS DREAM, WE'RE STILL WAITING, STILL WAITING FOR THAT DREAM.

MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO ON THE HALLOWED GROUNDS AND DEAR OLD WALLS OF MY BELOVED ALMA MATER, AN HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY, VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA... [ SCATTERED APPLAUSE ] >> I ACCEPTED MY CALL TO LEADERSHIP BECAUSE ON THAT CAMPUS, I MET A GREAT MAN WHO I FOLLOWED IN HIS FOOTSTEPS AS PRESIDENTS OF THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION.

HE IS A MEMBER OF YOUR COMMUNITY, A DISTINGUISHED MEMBER, THE HONORABLE ATTORNEY CORNELL MOORE.

[ Applause ].

>> BORN IN THE SUMMER OF 1965, I NEVER EXPERIENCED BLATANT RACISM, NEVER MARCHED WITH MARTIN, NEVER PROTESTED WITH MALCOLM OR BLED WITH MEGA.

BUT I UNDERSTOOD INHERENTLY THAT I HAD A RESPONSIBILITY AND AN OBLIGATION TO TAKE THE VALUABLE LESSONS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS PAST AND PAVE A NEW ROAD FOR THE FUTURE, TO ENSURE THAT THE GROUNDWORK OF STRUGGLE AND PROGRESS WAS NOT LAID IN VEIN.

I JOINED THE NATION'S OLDEST AND LARGEST CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION, THE MOST CUSSED AND DISCUSSED ORGANIZATION IN THE NATION.

AND FROM THAT PERCH, I BEGAN MY PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY IN HEALTH CARE AND HAVE BEEN SO PLEASED AND PROUD TO HAVE BEEN MENTORED IN THAT PROFESSIONAL CAREER BY ANOTHER OF YOUR CITY RESIDENTS, THE RIGHT ARM OF THAT ATTORNEY, Ms.

WENDEL WEEKS MOORE.

[ Applause ].

>> MY FRIENDS, DESPITE GREAT PROGRESS, THERE ARE STILL NOTABLE GAPS AND HUGE DISPARITY BETWEEN AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND WHITES, DISTINCTLY IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION, ECONOMICS AND HEALTH STATUS.

IT APPEARS THAT THE RISING TIDE THAT WAS INTENDED TO LIFT ALL BOATS OUT OF POVERTY IN THE '60s HAVE LEFT MANY DROWNING IN DESPAIR.

IN A 1967 SPEECH, DELIVERED EXACTLY ONE YEAR BEFORE HIS ASSASSINATION, Dr.

KING TALKED ABOUT A TIME TO BREAK SILENCE.

HE CHALLENGED THOSE WHO WERE IN THE COMMUNITY, COMMUNITY LEADERS, TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE SOCIETAL PROBLEMS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

AS WE LOOK ACROSS THE LENGTH AND BREADTH OF THIS NATION, AND EVEN IN THIS, THE CITY OF LAKES, WE SEE THAT DRUGS, HIV AND AIDS ARE RAVAGING POOR NEIGHBORHOODS.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE DETERIORATING AND BECOMING RESEGREGATED.

GENERATIONS OF YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG WOMEN ARE BEING LOST TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

RACIAL DIVISIONS ARE WIDENING, AND THE SAFETY NET HEALTH PROVIDERS FOR UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED POPULATIONS ARE STRUGGLING, AND I CAN HEAR IN THE VOICE OF Dr.

MARTIN LUTHER KING FROM THE GRAVE ASKING THIS COMMUNITY THE QUESTION, IS ANYBODY LISTENING?

DOES ANYBODY CARE?

44 YEARS LATER, AMERICA STILL FINDS HERSELF AT MIDNIGHT, IN THE COLD DARKNESS OF DESPAIR, GRAPPLING WITH THE ISSUES OF MODERN-DAY RACISM, CLASSISM, SEXISM AND, YES, IMMIGRANTISM.

44 YEARS LATER, THE PROBLEM OF RACE REMAINS AMERICA'S GREATEST MORAL DILEMMA AND THE PENDULUM OF JUSTICE IS MOVING QUICKLY BACKWARD FOR VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES ACROSS THIS NATION.

MY FRIENDS, THE GLOBAL VILLAGE WE LIVE IN IS BROWNING, BROWNING RIGHT BEFORE OUR VERY EYES.

THREE OUT OF 10 PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR.

85% OF NEW WORKERS WILL BE WOMEN, MINORITIES AND IMMIGRANTS.

BY 2040, HISPANICS, AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND ASIAN AMERICANS WILL REPRESENT MORE THAN HALF OF THE U.S.

POPULATION.

AGAINST THIS BACKDROP, WE'VE WITNESSED A GROWING CLAMOR OF RACIST RHETORIC CLOAKED IN POLITICAL COMMENTARY THAT CREATES AN UNHEALTHY COMMUNITY FOR OUR CHILDREN.

BUT I CHALLENGE YOU THIS MORNING THAT YOU MUST EXAMINE YOUR OWN LIVES AND BE WILLING TO REPLACE YOUR INTERNAL MIRRORS THAT MERELY REFLECT IMAGES OF YOURSELF AND REPLACE THEM WITH EXTERNAL WINDOWS THAT ILLUMINATES THE IMAGES OF OTHERS OUTSIDE YOUR WALLS.

EDUCATION PLAYS CRATE CALL ROLE AS A GATE KEEPER IN OUR SOCIETY, PARTICULARLY HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

A 2005 COSTING-OUT SURVEY BY JOHN MEYERS FOUND THAT YOUR STATE GOVERNMENT UNDERFUNDS PUBLIC EDUCATION ALMOST TO THE TUNE OF APPROXIMATELY $1 BILLION!

[ Applause ].

IN 2004, MINNESOTA SPENT AN AVERAGE OF $36,000 PER PRISON INMATE.

THAT'S MORE THAN FOUR TIMES THE EXPENDITURE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ALMOST FIVE TIMES THE EXPENDITURE FOR THE COST OF TUITION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

[ Applause ].

>> IN YOUR OPINION, MY FRIENDS, WHAT GIVES YOU THE BEST RETURN ON YOUR TAX DOLLARS, EDUCATION OR PRISON?

[ Cheers & Applause ] >> IF, MY FRIENDS, AMERICA IS TO RE-- REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN THE GLOBAL MARKET IS PLACE, HOW CAN SHE CONTINUALLY TURN HER BACKS ON PROGRESSIVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF POVERTY, SUBSTANDARD EDUCATION AND, MOST CERTAINLY, THE LACK OF QUALITY EDUCATION FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS?

HOW CAN SHE CONTINUE TO PROSPER WHEN AN ENTIRE GENERATION OF OUR SONS AND OUR DAUGHTERS ARE LEFT LANGUISHING IN PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS.

NOW, I AGREE WITH MY PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT BUSH, THAT NO CHILD SHOULD BE LEFT BEHIND.

HOWEVER, NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND MEANS SO, SO MUCH MORE TO ME.

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND MEANS THAT A CHILD, BLACK, WHITE, YELLOW OR BROWN, SHOULD NOT LOOK TO THE PRISON SYSTEM TO OBTAIN ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT SKILLS.

[ Applause ].

>> IT MAY BE, MY FRIENDS, TOO LATE FOR SOME OF US BUT IT CAN NEVER BE TOO LATE FOR OUR CHILDREN.

HEALTH CARE IS A POWERFUL ECONOMIC ENGINE FOR MINNESOTA, ACCORDING TO YOUR LATEST NEWS ACCOUNTS.

HOWEVER, DISPARITIES IN HEALTH CARE FOR MINORITY COMMUNITIES POSE A FAR MORE FORMIDABLE CHAMP FOR YOUR STATE.

IS ANYBODY LISTENING?

DOES ANYBODY CARE?

TOO MANY OF US ARE LOCKED IN A ROOM WITH THE DOOR WIDE OPEN, WANDERING AIMLESSLY THROUGH LIFE, TIPTOGETHER BECAUSE WE'RE AFRAID TO LEAVE OUR FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND OF TIME.

WE ARE AFRAID TO CONNECT WITH AND HELP OUR NEIGHBORS BECAUSE WE FALSELY BELIEVE THAT IT'S ALL ABOUT OUR OWN INDIVIDUAL PROSPERITY.

I STOPPED BY THIS MORNING IN THE TWIN CITIES, IT'S THIS COLD WINTERY MORNING, I STOPPED BY TO SHARE A WORD WITH YOU THAT IT AIN'T ABOUT YOU.

LIFE IS ABOUT OTHERS, AND SERVICE TO OTHERS IS THE RENT WE PLAY FOR THE SPACE WE OCCUPY.

[ Applause ].

>> THE TRUE TEST, NOT COMING HERE AND DRIVING THROUGH THE COLD, WINTERY SNOW TO ATEND A BREAKFAST AND RUB SHOULDERS WITH FOLKS YOU DON'T KNOW... [ Laughter ] >> THE TRUE TESTAMENT OF OUR FAITHFULNESS AND COMMITMENT TO Dr.

KING'S DREAM IS NOT HOW WE TREAT THE MAN WHO HOLDS A HIGH POSITION IN SOCIETY BUT HOW WE TREAT THE MAN WHO HAS NO POSITION TO HOLD.

[ Applause ].

>> IT'S NOT, MY FRIENDS, HOW WE RESPOND TO THE CALL OF A MAN WHO WOOELDZ POWER BUT HOW WE RESPONDS TO THE CALL OF THE MAN WHO HAS NO POWER TO COMMAND US.

Dr.

KING SAID ONE OF THE GREATEST LIABILITIES OF AMERICAN HISTORY IS THAT TOO MANY PEOPLE REMAIN AWAKE THROUGH GREAT PERIODS -- FAIL TO REMAIN AWAKE DURING GREAT PERIODS OF SOCIAL CHANGE.

ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU SAID, IT'S DIFFICULT TO WAKE A MAN WHO PRETENDS HE IS SLEEPING, BUT WAKE HIM WE MUST.

I BELIEVE THAT OUR STRUGGLE FOR OUR COLLECTIVE STRUGGLE, MY FRIENDS, FOR FREEDOM, JUSTICE AND EQUALITY IN AMERICAN SOCIETY, REQUIRES MEN AND WOMEN OF MORE LIKENESS, MENTAL COURAGE, CLARITY OF PURPOSE AND A BURNING DESIRE TO MAKE THIS NATION WHAT IT OUGHT TO BE, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

MINNEAPOLIS AND St.

PAUL, IT'S YOUR TIME NOW.

IT'S YOUR TIME, NOW IT'S IN YOUR HANDS.

YOUR MOMENT IN HISTORY.

YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO DRAW UPON THE COLLECTIVE LEADERSHIP AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND YOUR VERY DIVERSE COMMUNITIES, TO CLOSE THE ECONOMIC AND EQUITY GAPS IN EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE AND INCOME.

AS I TAKE MY SEAT, I DIDN'T COME HERE TO SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS.

IN THIS ROOM, YOU HAVE THE POWER TO SOLVE ANY PROBLEM THAT YOU DESIRE IF YOU HAVE THE COMMITMENT AND THE WILL.

[ Applause ].

>> BUT AS I GO TO MY SEAT, I WANT TO LEAVE WITH YOU AN AFRICAN PROVERB ABOUT A BAND OF ELEPHANTS THAT WERE CROSSING A RIVER.

I'M SORRY BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME ELEPHANTS THIS MORNING.

THAT'S AN INSIDE JOKE.

[ Laughter ] >> IF YOU WILL WALK WITH ME, AS THE BAND OF ELEPHANTS MIGRATED ACROSS THE ELEPHANT TERRAIN, THEY CAME UPON A RIVER.

THE LARGER ELEPHANTS EXPERIENCED NO PROBLEMS NAVIGATING THE ROUGH WATERS.

HOWEVER, THE CURRENTS WERE TOO STRONG FOR THE SMALLER ELEPHANTS, PETE AT THE HAYTON, AND THEY WERE AFRAID TO STEP IN THE WATER.

AND I KNOW HERE THAT ELEPHANTS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR STELLAR MEMORY.

WATCH THIS AS THE MIGRATION OF THE ELEPHANTS CONTINUED MOVING ACROSS THAT RIVER.

ONE OF THEM LOOKED BACK AND SAW A HUGE BAND OF SMALLER ELEPHANTS IMMOBILE ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVER.

THE ELEPHANT YELLED UP TO THE LEADER AND SAID, SISTER LEADER, SISTER LEADER, WE GOT SOME FOLKS STILL STANDING ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVER.

ASSESSING THIS SITUATION, THE LARGER HE WILL ELEPHANTS DIDN'T CALL A TOWN HALL MEETING TO DEBATE THE ISSUE OF RIVER CROSSING.

[ Laughter ] >> THEY DIDN'T ORGANIZE A MARCH TO BRING ATTENTION TO THE PLIGHT OF THE SMALLER ELEPHANTS.

THEY DIDN'T WRITE A GOVERNMENT GRANT TO EVALUATE THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE LITTLE ELEPHANTS' INABILITIES TO GET IN THE WATER.

THEY DIDN'T EVEN WRITE FOR A LEGISLATIVE ACT OF CONGRESS TO DEVELOP POLICY STATEMENTS TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS.

THOSE BIG ELEPHANTS JUST TURNED AROUND AND GOT BACK IN THE WATER, AND THEY STOOD SHOULDER TO SHOULDER AND ALLOWED THEIR BODIES TO CREATE A DAM THAT PARTED THE WATERS AND LET THOSE LITTLE BITTY ELEPHANTS CROSS OVER ON DRY GROUND.

NOW, THERE WERE SOME BYSTANDERS WATCHING THIS MIGRATION AND SAW -- AND THEY DIDN'T REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT WAS GOING ON, AND SOMEBODY POINTED TO THE BIG ELEPHANTS AND ASKED, WELL, WHO ARE THEY?

THE ANSWER CAME BACK, THESE ARE THEY, FOR MINNETONKA AND EDEN PRAIRIE AND EDINA, WHO DIDN'T FORGET TO REMEMBER THAT THEY WERE THEIR BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

SOMEBODY POINTED TO THE MIDDLE OF THE RIVER, AND ASKED THE QUESTION, SISTER DENISE, WELL, WHO ARE THEY?

THESE ARE THEY, FOR NEICE MINNEAPOLIS AND BROOKLYN CENTER, WHO GOT BACK IN THE WATER AND PRESSED THEIR WEIGHT BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED THAT THEY'D COME TOO FAR TO TURN BACK NOW.

FINALLY, SOMEBODY POINTED TO THOSE LITTLE, BITTY ELEPHANTS AND ASKED, WELL, WHO ARE THEY?

THESE ARE THEY.

FROM HAWTHORNE, JORDAN AND PHILLIPS AND SHELLBY-DALE, WHO STEPPED OUT OF FAITH, LEAVING THEIR DOUBTS AND FEARS BEHIND, FOLLOWING MINNESOTA'S NORTH STAR TOWARDS THEIR DREAM.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY, MY FRIENDS, IS ONCE YOU MAKE IT, ONCE YOU MAKE IT, ONCE YOU MAKE IT, DON'T FORGET TO REMEMBER, TO TURN AROUND AND GET BACK IN THE WATER AND HELP SOMEBODY ELSE CROSS OVER TO DRY LAND.

[ Applause ].

>> I WISH I HAD ONE OR TWO BIG ELEPHANTS IN THE BUILDING RIGHT NOW, WHO'S WILLING TO STAND WITH ME AND GET BACK IN THE WATER.

IS THERE ONE OF YOU WHO WILL STAND SHOULDER TO SHOULDER?

[ Applause ].

>> BUILD A DAM THAT ALLOWS US TO CROSS OVER ON DRY GROUND.

MINNEAPOLIS, IT'S IN YOUR HANDS, CONTINUE TO STAND, CONTINUE TO STAND AND AFTER HAVING DONE ALL, MY FRIENDS, CONTINUE TO STAND, TO TRY TO FORM YOUR BELOVED COMMUNITY INTO AN OASIS OF HOPE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR GENERATIONS YET UNBORN.

IT'S YOUR TIME NOW, CONTINUE TO STAND.

GOD BLESS YOU.

[ Applause ].

>> WHAT ELSE NEED BE SAID?

THANK YOU FOR THOSE WORDS OF INSPIRATION, AND BEFORE WE CLOSE, I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE PART OF THE 2007 M.L.K.

COMMITTEE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION.

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CERTAIN WE THANK Ms.

ROBYNE ROBINSON FOR BEING HERE WITH US TODAY.

[ Applause ].

>> AND THANK YOU TO 4GIVEN FOR THEIR MUSICAL PERFORMANCES.

THANK YOU.

[ Applause ].

>> ARE YOU AWAKE NOW?

AND NOW THAT YOU'RE AWAKE, LET'S SING.

4GIVEN.

EVERYBODY GET UP.

♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY ♪ ♪ YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T MAKE IT ALL RIGHT TO BE ALIFE AGAIN ♪ ♪ ♪ TODAY IS YOUR CELEBRATION, YOU'RE LIVING IN OUR HEARTS ♪ ♪ THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A TIME ♪ ♪ TO SHOW JUST HOW MUCH WE LOVE YOU ♪ ♪ AND I'M SURE YOU WOULD AGREE, THERE IS NO PERFECT -- BECAUSE IT IS A PERFECT DREAM ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY,.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ♪ ♪ I NEVER UNDERSTOOD ♪ ♪ WHY I NEVER GOT FOR YOU ♪ ♪ ON A DAY THAT BECAME A DAY FOR YOUR RECOGNITION ♪ ♪ RECOGNITION OF HIS DREAM.

THAT HE JUST CANNOT SEE ♪ ♪ THAT THEY SHOULD MAKE IT BE PART OF AN ILLUSION ♪ ♪ AND WE ALL EVERYTHING THAT THIS TIME WILL BRING FOR PEOPLE OF HEART WILL SING ♪ ♪ THANKS TO MARTIN LUTHER KING ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTH DAY,.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTH DAY ♪ ♪ OH, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A HOLE DAY WRG YOU WERE CELEBRATED ALL THROUGHOUT THE WORLD ♪ ♪ YOU KNOW THAT TIME IS ALL FOR YOU ♪ ♪ PART OF ME AND YOU ♪ ♪ YOU KNOW THE WAY THROUGH.

♪ IT'S FOR ALL THE CHILDREN ♪ ♪ IT SHOULD BE A GREAT EVENT ♪ ♪ TO REMEMBER ♪ ♪ ALL THOSE WHO LIVED IN THE WONDER OF THE PEOPLE ♪ ♪ SO LET IT ALL BEGIN, WE KNOW THAT LOVE CAN WIN, THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO HOLD IT IN, SING IT LOUD AS YOU CAN ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY,.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTH DAY,.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ♪ >> COVERAGE OF THE 17 ISth ANNUAL Dr.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., HOLIDAY BREAKFAST WAS SPONSORED BY UNITED NEGRO