FIVE SCORE YEARS AGO, A GREAT AMERICAN, IN WHOSE SYMBOLIC SHADOW WE STAND TODAY, SIGNED THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION.

THIS MOMENTOUS DECREE CAME AS A GREAT BEACON LIGHT OF HOPE TO MILLIONS OF NEGRO SLAVES WHO HAD BEEN SEARED IN THE FLAMES OF WITHERING INJUSTICE.

IT CAME AS A JOYOUS DAYBREAK TO END THE LONG NIGHT OF THEIR CAPTIVITY.

BUT, 100 YEARS LATER, THE NEGRO STILL IS NOT FREE.

100 YEARS LATER, THE LIFE OF THE NEGRO IS STILL SADLY CRIPPLED BY THE MANACLES OF SEGREGATION AND THE CHAINS OF DISCRIMINATION.

100 YEARS LATER, THE NEGRO LIVES ON A LONELY ISLAND OF POVERTY IN THE MIDST OF A VAST OCEAN OF MATERIAL PROSPERITY.

100 YEARS LATER, HE LANGUISHES IN THE CORNER OF AMERICAN SOCIETY AND FINDS HIMSELF AN EXILE IN HIS OWN LAND.

I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY EVEN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, A STATE SWELTERING WITH THE HEAT OF, OF INJUSTICE, SWELTERING WITH THE HEAT OF OPPRESSION, WILL BE TRANSFORMED INTO AN OASIS OF FREEDOM AND JUSTICE.

I HAVE A DREAM THAT MY FOUR LITTLE CHILDREN WILL ONE DAY LIVE IN A NATION WHERE THEY WILL NOT BE JUDGED BY THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN BUT BY THE CONTENT OF THEIR CHARACTER.

I HAVE DREAM TODAY.

I HAVE A DREAM THAT DOWN IN ALABAMA, WITH ITS VICIOUS RACISTS, WITH ITS GOVERNOR HAVING HIS LIPS DRIPPING WITH THE WORDS OF INTERPOSITION AND NULLIFICATION; THAT RIGHT THERE IN ALABAMA, ONE DAY, LITTLE BLACK BOYS AND LITTLE BLACK GIRLS WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN HANDS WITH LITTLE WHITE BOYS AND LITTLE WHITE GIRLS AS SISTERS AND BROTHERS.

I HAVE A DREAM TODAY.

AND IF AMERICA IS TO BE A GREAT NATION THIS MUST BECOME TRUE.

SO LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE PRODIGIOUS HILLTOPS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE MIGHTY MOUNTAINS OF NEW YORK.

LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE HEIGHTENING ALLEGHENIES OF PENNSYLVANIA.

LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE SNOW-CAPPED ROCKIES OF COLORADO.

LET FREEDOM RING FROM THE CURVACEOUS SLOPES OF CALIFORNIA.

BUT NOT ONLY THAT.

LET FREEDOM RING FROM STONE MOUNTAIN IN GEORGIA.

LET FREEDOM RING FROM LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN IN TENNESSEE.

FROM EVERY HILL AND MOLEHILL IN MISSISSIPPI LET FREEDOM RING.

AND WHEN WE LET FREEDOM RING; WHEN WE LET IT RING FROM EVERY VILLAGE AND EVERY HAMLET, EVERY STATE AND EVERY CITY, WE WILL SPEED UP THAT DAY WHEN ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN; BLACK MEN AND WHITE MEN; JEWS AND GENTILES; PROTESTANTS AND CATHOLICS, WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN HANDS AND SING IN THE WORDS OF THE OLD NEGRO SPIRITUAL, FREE AT LAST!

FREE AT LAST!

THANK GOD ALMIGHTY WE ARE FREE AT LAST.

Applause >> GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO THE 24TH ANNUAL DR.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., HOLIDAY BREAKFAST.

I AM TIFFANIE BOYD, CHAIR OF THIS YEAR'S EVENT BROUGHT TO YOU BY UNCF AND THE GENERAL MILLS FOUNDATION, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TWIN CITIES PUBLIC TELEVISION.

SPECIAL THANKS TO WARREN BOWLES FOR THAT AMAZING RENDITION OF DR.

KING'S FAMOUS I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH.

Applause LET ME BEGIN BY INTRODUCING OUR HEAD TABLE.

REVEREND STEVE DANIELS, JR., PASTOR OF SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH IN ST.

PAUL, MINNESOTA.

Applause I'LL ASK THAT YOU HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE UNTIL THE END.

DR.

MICHAEL LOMAX, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF UNCF.

SHARON SMITH-AKINSANYA, AREA DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR UNCF.

TODAY'S KEYNOTE SPEAKER, DONNA BRAZILE, POLITICAL STRATEGIST, PROFESSOR, AND AUTHOR.

ELLEN GOLDBERG LUGER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GENERAL MILLS FOUNDATION.

Applause IN THE AUDIENCE ARE SEVERAL DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, INCLUDING GOVERNOR DAYTON, U.S.

SENATORS KLOBUCHAR AND FRANKEN, AND OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS, EDUCATION LEADERS AND CORPORATE EXECUTIVES.

Applause WE ALSO HAVE MEMBERS OF THE MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD AND MILITARY BRANCHES.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, YOU ARE CERTAINLY AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL.

Applause I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THIS YEAR'S BREAKFAST COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO ORGANIZED THIS EVENT.

YOU HAVE BEEN AN AMAZING TEAM TO WORK WITH AND I THANK YOU FOR MAKING TODAY POSSIBLE.

THE REACH -- YEAH, ONE MORE CLAP, ONE MORE CLAP.

Applause THE REACH OF THIS EVENT CONTINUES TO GROW AND THAT'S QUITE EXCITING WITH 2,000 PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM, 1,100 AT ONE OF OUR COMMUNITY BREAKFASTS THAT WE SPONSOR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE St.

PAUL AREA COUNCIL OF CHURCHES.

NEW THIS YEAR, WE ARE BROADCASTING LIVE AT ST.

CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY.

WE ALSO WELCOME OUR TWIN CITIES PUBLIC TELEVISION VIEWING AUDIENCE, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE ARE STREAMING LIVE OVER THE INTERNET.

DURING THE PROGRAM THIS MORNING, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SHARE YOUR PERSPECTIVE AND INSPIRATION VIA TWITTER USING THE HASHTAG MLKBREAKFAST.

DR.

KING SO ELOQUENTLY SHARED A VISION FOR OUR FUTURE IN HIS I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH.

50 YEARS LATER WE HAVE MADE GREAT PROGRESS, YET IT SEEMS WE HAVE SO FAR TO GO.

POVERTY, UNEMPLOYMENT, VOTING RIGHTS AND RACIAL DISPARITIES IN EDUCATION WERE THE ISSUES THAT DR.

KING AND SO MANY OTHERS FOUGHT FOR.

TODAY, THESE SAME ISSUES CONTINUE TO PLAGUE CIVIL RIGHTS EQUALITY.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS IS TWICE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AND BLACK FAMILIES EARN 65% OF WHAT WHITE FAMILIES EARN.

AFRICAN AMERICANS MAKE UP 13% OF THE POPULATION, BUT REPRESENT 38% OF THOSE IN PRISON.

THESE RACIAL DISPARITIES THREATEN OUR STATE AND OUR NATION BY LIMITING VOTING RIGHTS AND DENYING EQUAL ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, AND EDUCATION FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR.

WITHOUT EQUAL ACCESS, WE CAN'T CLAIM CIVIL RIGHTS VICTORY.

ONE SOLUTION TO OUR RACIAL DISPARITIES IS EQUAL ACCESS TO A GOOD EDUCATION.

NELSON MANDELA SAID, EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON YOU CAN USE TO CHANGE THE WORLD.

CERTAINLY A HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION HAS ENABLED ME TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP SHOWS THAT WE ARE FAILING TO EDUCATE OUR AFRICAN AMERICAN, LATINO AND AMERICAN INDIAN CHILDREN TO THE SAME LEVEL OF THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS.

STUDENTS OF COLOR FALL BEHIND IN MATH AND READING ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND MINNESOTA IS STILL ONE OF THE LOWEST-PERFORMING STATES IN THIS AREA.

THIS INEQUALITY CASCADES TO PERFORMANCE AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL WITH GRADUATION RATES FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS WELL BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

SO WHAT CAN WE DO?

WE HAVE TO FIRST ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM, BELIEVE THINGS CAN BE DIFFERENT, AND BE WILLING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

WE HAVE TO REIMAGINE A FUTURE WHERE PEOPLE OF COLOR HAVE EQUAL ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION, BETTER JOBS AND STRONGER FINANCIAL FUTURES.

DR.

KING SAID, OUR LIVES BEGIN TO END WHEN WE BECOME SILENT ABOUT THINGS THAT MATTER.

WE CAN'T LET THE PROGRESS OF THE LAST 50 YEARS ALLOW US TO BE SILENT.

SO I ASK YOU TO SPEAK, TO SPEAK WITH YOUR WORDS, SPEAK WITH YOUR DEEDS, SPEAK WITH YOUR FINANCES.

USE THE RESOURCES YOU HAVE TO ADVANCE THE DREAM OF Dr.

KING.

AND AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO -- Applause AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE ELLEN GOLDBERG LUGER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE GENERAL MILLS FOUNDATION.

Applause >> THANK YOU, TIFFANIE, GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

THE GENERAL MILLS FOUNDATION WELCOMES YOU TODAY AS WE REIMAGINE THE FUTURE WITH AN EYE TOWARDS RESHAPING EDUCATION AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY SERVICE.

DR.

KING'S WORDS STILL GUIDE US WITH INSIGHTS SUCH AS THE FUNCTION OF EDUCATION IS TO TEACH ONE TO THINK CRITICALLY.

INTELLIGENCE PLUS CHARACTER - THAT IS THE GOAL OF TRUE EDUCATION.

AND HE CONTINUES TO CHALLENGE US, AS Dr.

KING SAID, LIFE'S MOST PERSISTENT QUESTION IS, WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR OTHERS?

WITH A COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION AND SERVICE, GENERAL MILLS HAS PARTNERED WITH UNCF FOR 40 YEARS, SUPPORTING THEIR WORK TO ENSURE THAT UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS SUCCESSFULLY GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE.

Applause LET'S ALL REIMAGINE HOW WE CAN BEST SUPPORT UNCF'S CRITICAL MISSION.

COLLABORATIONS ARE INDEED KEY TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

GENERAL MILLS HAS PARTNERED WITH MANY OF YOU, CORPORATIONS, SCHOOLS, NONPROFITS, AND OTHERS, ON COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES.

FOR EXAMPLE, IN OUR QUEST TO REIMAGINE A FUTURE OF QUALITY EDUCATION, MANY OF US CAME TOGETHER TO START GENERATION NEXT, A PARTNERSHIP TO CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP AMONG TWIN CITIES' STUDENTS.

THIS INITIATIVE OF EDUCATION, COMMUNITY, GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS STAKEHOLDERS IS NOW LED BY FORMER MINNEAPOLIS MAYOR R.T.

RYBAK -- Applause AND IS DEDICATED TO ACCELERATING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT FOR ALL OF OUR CHILDREN FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD THROUGH EARLY CAREER.

IN ADDITION, WE ARE SO PLEASED THAT MOATH MAYORS -- BOTH MAYORS COLEMAN AND HODGES HAVE COMMITTED TO MAKE CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP A PRIORITY.

Applause THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

GENERAL MILLS' COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITIES IS STEADFAST.

60 YEARS AGO, OUR FOUNDATION WAS FORMED AND TEN YEARS AGO, WE LAUNCHED THE CELEBRATING COMMUNITIES OF COLOR GRANTS PROGRAM.

THESE GRANTS FOCUS ON TWIN CITIES ORGANIZATIONS WITH INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS THAT ARE STRENGTHENING THIS COMMUNITY.

I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA'S HUMPHREY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND IN HONOR OF OUR 60TH ANNIVERSARY, THE GRANTS POOL FOR THIS YEAR'S PROGRAM WILL BE INCREASED TO $1 MILLION.

Applause GRANT APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL FEBRUARY 3.

PLEASE VISIT THE MLK BREAKFAST WEBSITE FOR A LINK TO THE APPLICATION.

FOR 60 YEARS, GENERAL MILLS AND ITS FOUNDATION HAVE BEEN NOURISHING LIVES THROUGH GENEROUS GIVING AND GLOBAL COMMUNITY BUILDING, INVESTING MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS HERE AT HOME AND AROUND THE WORLD.

OUR EMPLOYEES ALSO HELP STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITIES BY SHARING THEIR SKILLS AND TALENTS.

MORE THAN 80% DONATE THEIR TIME AND EXPERTISE.

IT IS IN THIS SPIRIT OF SERVICE THAT I'M HONORED TO INTRODUCE THIS YEAR'S OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO WE CALL LOCAL LEGENDS.

LET'S LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS YEAR'S HONOREES, WHO EVERY DAY NOURISH LIVES THROUGH THEIR GOOD WORKS.

PLEASE TURN YOUR ATTENTION TO THE SCREENS.

>> CRAIG IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER OF YOUTH CARE, YOUTH FOR CULTURAL APPRECIATION AND RACIAL EQUALITY.

YOUTHCARE PROVIDERS YOUNG PEOPLE FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND DIVERSE ETHNIC, CULTURAL AND RACIAL BACKGROUNDS WITH POSITIVE PROGRAMS AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT DEVELOP AND BUILD CONFIDENCE IN THEIR ABILITY TO ACHIEVE A LIFE OF EQUALITY, SUCCESS, AND STABILITY.

ONE PART OF YOUTHCARE IS CAMP SUNRISE SUMMER PROGRAM.

STARTED IN 1977, THIS CAMP BRINGS TOGETHER YOUTH AND ADULTS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS TO LIVE AND WORK IN AN OUTDOOR MULTICULTURAL ENVIRONMENT.

THIS FREE OF CHARGE EXPERIENCE HAS PROFOUNDLY IMPACTED THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF YOUTH.

YOUTHCARE'S OTHER PROGRAMS, SUCH AS YOUTH LEAD AND THE YOUNG WOMEN'S MENTORING PROGRAM, FURTHER CRAIG'S VISION THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

THEY PROVIDE CLASSES, EMPLOYMENT TRAINING, SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, MENTORING AND PEER ADVISING.

CRAIG LUDEMAN, A 2014 LOCAL LEGEND.

ROBIN HAS BEEN UPLIFTING YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY LIVE FOR YEARS.

AS C.E.O.

AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF SOUL TOUCH PRODUCTIONS AND THROUGH HER WORK AT TWIN CITIES PUBLIC TV, ROBIN HAS PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH OF COLOR TO WORK IN ALL ASPECTS OF TELEVISION PRODUCTION.

HER WORK AT THE ORDWAY CENTER WITH TAKING OUR PLACE CENTER STAGE, HAS DEEPLY ENGAGED COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF AFRICAN DESCENT IN ORGANIZATION ALWIDE OPPORTUNITIES.

HER INSPIRATIONAL ENERGY HAS ALSO HELPED BUILD COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS WITH LOCAL ESSENCE.

THE WORLD RENOWNED CHORAL MUSIC GROUP.

ROBIN'S WORK FROM LOVING THE SKIN I'M IN HAVE ALLOWED HUNDREDS OF FEMALE YOUTH TO EXPLORE SOCIETAL STANDARDS OF BEAUTY AND MEDIA INFLUENCES ON SELF-ESTEEM AND IDENTIFY.

ROBIN ALSO IS COMMITTED TO CONTINUING THE LEG AGO OF HER LATE YOU THINK -- LEGACY OF HER LATE UNCLE GORDON PARK.

SHE DOES SO BY MENTORING AND SUPPORTING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH HER ZEAL AND ENERGY.

MOTIVATING THEM TO ASPIRE TO REACH THEIR OWN PERSONAL GOALS.

ROBIN HICKMAN, A 2014 LOCAL LEGEND.

Applause >> THANK YOU SO MUCH TO OUR AMAZING LOCAL LEGENDS.

LET ME LEAVE YOU WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO REIMAGINE THE FUTURE.

LOOK ON YOUR TABLE FOR THIS CARD.

FOR OUR TV VIEWING AUDIENCE OR THOSE WATCHING ONLINE, PLEASE GO TO THE MLK BREAKFAST WEBSITE, WHERE YOU'LL FIND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT NEED YOUR HELP.

WHETHER YOU MENTOR A CHILD, HELP THE HUNGRY OR VOLUNTEER YOUR PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE, WE HOPE YOU WILL TAKE ACTION BY SIGNING UP AND COMMITTING TO TOUCHING THE LIVES OF OTHERS.

WE'VE MADE IT EASY FOR YOU TO VOLUNTEER.

TAKE OUT YOUR CELL PHONE OR GET ON YOUR HOME COMPUTER AND GO TO THIS WEBSITE LISTED ON THE SCREEN.

EACH OF US HAS THE CAPACITY TO REIMAGINE THE FUTURE.

THANK YOU!

Applause >> YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.

GOD HAS STRUCK THIS UNIVERSE THAT WAY.

AND HE WHO GOES THROUGH LIFE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT OTHERS WILL BE A SUBJECT VICTIM OF THIS LAW.

SO I MOVE ON AND SAY THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO ADD BREADTH.

NOW, THE BREADTH OF LIFE IS THE OUTWARD OF CONCERN FOR THE WELFARE OF OTHERS, AS I SAID.

AND A MAN HAS NOT BEGUN TO LIVE UNTIL HE CAN RISE ABOVE THE CONFINE OF HIS OWN INDIVIDUAL CONCERNS TO THE BROADER CONCERNS OF ALL HUMANITY.

>> YEAH.

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.

COME ON, I WANT YOU TO CLAP YOUR HANDS LIKE THIS.

COME ON, CLAP YOUR HANDS.

CLAP YOUR HAND, COME ON.

WE HAVE VICTORY.

COME ON, CLAP YOUR HANDS, EVERYBODY, CLAP, COME ON.

COME ON.

OVERCOME.

WE'VE OVERCOME THE ENEMY WE'VE DEFEATED WE'VE CONQUERED WE'VE OVERCOME THE ENEMY WE'VE DEFEATED WE'VE OVERCOME THE ENEMY >> IT'S OKAY, YOU CAN PUT YOUR HAND TOGETHER, COME ON, CLAP YOUR HAND, COME ON.

WE'VE OVERCOME THE ENEMY WE'VE DEFEATED WE'VE CONQUERED THANKS BE TO GOD WHO HELPED US TO TRIUMPH >> COME ON.

HE IS THE ONE WHO GIVES US VICTORY OVER THE ENEMY >> COME ON, CLAP YOUR HANDS.

COME ON!

WE'VE OVERCOME THE ENEMY WE'VE DEFEATED WE'VE CONQUERED WE'VE OVERCOME THE ENEMY WE'VE DEFEATED >> COME ON.

THANKS BE TO GOD >> COME ON.

HE IS THE ONE.

HE IS THE ONE WHO GIVES US VICTORY OVER THE ENEMY >> COME ON, THANKS BE TO GOD.

THANKS BE TO GOD >> COME ON, SAY, HE IS THE ONE.

HE IS THE ONE.

>> YEAH.

WHO GIVES US VICTORY OVER THE ENEMY THANKS BE TO GOD WHO ALWAYS CAUSES US TO TRIUMPH IN HIS NAME HE IS THE ONE WHO GIVES US VICTORY WHO GIVES US VICTORY OVER THE ENEMY >> CLAP YOUR HANDS, COME ON.

>> WE'VE GOT VICTORY IN THIS PLACE, WE'VE OVERCOME AND WE'VE GOT VICTORY.

CLAP YOUR HANDS, EVERYBODY.

CLAP YOUR HANDS, COME ON.

COME ON.

VICTORY VICTORY IN HIS NAME IN HIS NAME VICTORY IN HIS NAME IN HIS NAME VICTORY VICTORY IN HIS NAME IN HIS NAME YOU GOT VICTORY IN HIS NAME VICTORY VICTORY IN HIS NAME IN HIS NAME VICTORY NOTE VICTORY YOU GOT VICTORY VICTORY IN HIS NAME IN HIS NAME VICTORY VICTORY IN HIS NAME IN HIS NAME VICTORY VICTORY IN HIS NAME >> COME ON.

VICTORY VICTORY IN HIS NAME IN HIS NAME VICTORY VICTORY IN HIS NAME IN HIS NAME VICTORY VICTORY IN HIS NAME IN HIS NAME Applause >> GOOD MORNING!

I AM SHARON SMITH AKINSANYA, DIRECTOR OF UNCF'S AREA OFFICE FOR THE TWIN CITIES.

AS UNCF BEGINS ITS 70TH YEAR, AND AS WE CELEBRATE THE 85TH ANNIVERSARY OF DR.

KING'S BIRTH, WE HONOR HIM BY CARRYING ON HIS WORK AND LIVING IN HIS SPIRIT.

FOR UNCF, THAT MEANS WORKING TO HELP STUDENTS GET THE COLLEGE EDUCATION THAT THEY NEED AND THAT WE NEED THEM TO HAVE.

WE CARRY ON THAT WORK THROUGH OUR 37 MEMBER HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, INCLUDING DR.

KING'S OWN ALMA MATER, MOREHOUSE COLLEGE, THAT HAVE GRADUATED MORE THAN 400,000 STUDENTS.

WE CARRY IT ON THROUGH THE 10,000 SCHOLARSHIPS WE AWARD TO STUDENTS AT MORE THAN 900 COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY AND THROUGH OUR ADVOCACY OF THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION FOR ALL AMERICANS.

FOR TEN YEARS, UNCF HAS BEEN LED BY DR.

MICHAEL L. LOMAX, UNCF PRESIDENT AND CEO.

OVER THE COURSE OF A LONG AND DISTINGUISHED CAREER, DR.

LOMAX HAS BEEN BOTH A PUBLIC SERVANT AND AN EDUCATOR.

HE WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN EVER ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE FULTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS IN ATLANTA.

HE SERVED AS THE PRESIDENT OF UNCF INSTITUTION, DILLARD COLLEGE IN NEW ORLEANS.

HE IS ALSO A BOARD MEMBER FOR VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING TEACH FOR AMERICA AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME MY BOSS, THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF UNCF, DR.

MICHAEL L. LOMAX.

>> THANK YOU, SHARON.

AND THANK YOU, GENERAL MILLS, FOR BEING OUR PARTNER OF 24 -- LET'S GIVE THEM A HAND -- FOR THIS, THE 24th ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY BREAKFAST.

AND I MIGHT ADD, THE BEST BREAKFAST IN THE NATION.

LAWS APPLAUSE THIS LONG PARTNERSHIP ISN'T JUST A GENEROUS GIFT.

IT'S AN INVESTMENT, AN INVESTMENT IN BETTER FUTURES FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND FOR ALL OF US WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THEIR EDUCATION.

IT'S THE KIND OF INVESTMENT THAT, AS YOU KNOW IF YOU'VE SEEN UNCF'S NEW PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS, HAS MOVED US TO EXPAND OUR MOTTO, A MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE, TO, A MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE, BUT A WONDERFUL THING TO INVEST IN.

THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS EACH YEAR WHO DEPEND ON UNCF AND PARTNERS LIKE GENERAL MILLS FOR THE EDUCATION THEY NEED AND THAT WE NEED THEM TO HAVE, THEY ARE THE RETURN ON THAT INVESTMENT.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THEY ARE YOUR DIVIDENDS.

AND ON THEIR BEHALF, I THANK YOU ALL.

THERE COULD NOT BE A BETTER TIME THAN THE 85TH ANNIVERSARY OF DR.

KING'S BIRTH TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE CAN LIVE UP TO THE EXAMPLE HE SET AND COMMIT TO THE GOAL EMBODIED IN TODAY'S THEME, RE-IMAGINE THE FUTURE.

BECAUSE FAR TOO MANY YOUNG AMERICANS, AND FAR, FAR TOO MANY YOUNG AFRICAN AMERICANS, FACE FUTURES THAT DESPERATELY CRY OUT FOR REIMAGINING.

THE ARC OF THE MORAL UNIVERSE IS LONG, DR.

KING SAID ALMOST 60 YEARS AGO, BUT IT BENDS TOWARD JUSTICE.

BUT I DOUBT THAT EVEN HE THOUGHT THAT THE ARC WOULD BE AS LONG AS IT HAS BEEN; THAT WE WOULD GREET THE 21ST CENTURY, THE SECOND DECADE OF THE 21ST CENTURY, WITH SO MANY LOW-INCOME AMERICANS OF COLOR SILL DEPRIVED OF THE EDUCATION THEY NEED TO BE FULL PARTICIPANTS IN THE 21st CENTURY ECONOMY.

AND HE MAY NOT HAVE ANTICIPATED THAT THE ECONOMY AND SOCIETY WOULD EVOLVE IN SUCH A WAY THAT STUDENTS WITHOUT COLLEGE DEGREES FACE SO BLEAK AND DESPAIRING A FUTURE.

MY FRIENDS, AS DR.

KING SAID, THE FIERCE URGENCY OF NOW IS UPON US.

FOR FAR TOO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE WHO DEPEND ON US, WE ARE ON THE BRINK OF BEING TOO LATE.

IT IS THEIR FUTURE THAT WE MUST REIMAGINE.

AND THERE COULD NOT BE A PERSON BETTER EQUIPPED THAN DONNA BRAZILE TO SHOW US THE WAY.

WE KNOW HER TODAY AS A COGENT AND INCISIVE POLITICAL COMMENTATOR ON ABC AND CNN AND AS A POLITICAL LEADER AND STRATEGIST IN EVERY PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN FOR A QUARTER CENTURY FROM 1976 THROUGH 2000 AND AT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE.

SHE HAS BEEN A FACULTY MEMBER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND AND GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY.

SHE HAS LECTURED AT MORE THAN 125 COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SHE WRITES A SYNDICATED COLUMN THAT APPEARS AT UNIVERSAL UCLICK, MS MAGAZINE AND O, THE OPRAH MAGAZINE.

SHE HAS EVEN APPEARED IN TWO TV DRAMAS, THE GOOD WIFE AND -- AND MY FAVORITE, HOUSE OF CARDS, PLAYING A COMPELLING, YET SYMPATHETIC CHARACTER -- HERSELF.

Laughter AND SHE HAS WRITTEN A BEST-SELLING MEMOIR, COOKING WITH GREASE: STIRRING THE POTS IN AMERICAN POLITICS, IN WHICH SHE TALKS ABOUT POVERTY HAVING BEEN A FACT OF LIFE WHEN SHE WAS GROWING UP.

MY FAMILY DIDN'T JUST LIVE ON THE PROVERBIAL 'OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS,' SHE WRITES.

WE LIVED BEHIND THREE SETS OF TRACKS PUSHED UP AGAINST THE BANKS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

WHICH IS YET ANOTHER REASON WHY SHE IS WELL WORTH LISTENING TO AS WE RE-IMAGINE THE FUTURE.

SHE IMAGINED HER OWN FUTURE AND MADE THAT DREAM INTO A REALITY.

WITH THE SUPPORT OF SO MANY.

AND SHE HAS PAID HER GOOD FORTUNE FORWARD, WORKING TO MAKE AMERICA A COUNTRY IN WHICH EVERYBODY CAN IMAGINE A BETTER FUTURE FOR THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILY, THEIR COMMUNITY, AND THEIR COUNTRY.

A COUNTRY IN WHICH EVERYONE CAN MAKE THAT DREAM INTO A REALITY.

AS WE HOFN Dr.

KING AND HIS -- AS WE HONOR Dr.

KING AND HIS LEGACY, I'M SURE DONNA WOULD ALSO NOTE THAT THIS YEAR IS ALSO THE 50th YEAR OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT.

THANKS TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT AND THOSE WHO FOUGHT FOR IT IS BEING COMMEMORATED IN A UNIQUE SILVER COIN ISSUED BY THE MINT, AND I WANT TO THANK MEMBERS OF YOUR SENATE AND HOUSE DELEGATION FOR THEIR SUPPORT BECAUSE THE PROCEEDS OF THIS WILL GO TO SCHOLARSHIPS ADMINISTERED BY UNCF.

SO, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN -- Applause WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, WELCOME DONNA BREZ HE'LL.

BRAZILE.

Applause >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, SIR.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, Dr.

LOMAX.

FOR YOUR INTRODUCTION.

I'M HUMBLED BY IT.

AND I WANT TO SAY, ON A PERSONAL NOTE, THANK YOU AND THE UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND FOR ALL OF THE TREMENDOUS SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN TO MANY OF MY FRIENDS AND SEVERAL OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS.

YOU SEE, THE MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE BUT A WONDERFUL THING TO INVEST IN TEACHERS AND PHARMACISTS AND NURSES AND FIRST RESPONDERS.

MY COUSIN ANN ATTENDED DILLARD UNIVERSITY.

ANOTHER COULD YOU SAY XAVIER UNIVERSITY.

A COUSIN AT MOREHOUSE.

WE ARE SO BLESSED BY YOUR GENEROSITY.

BY YOUR SACRIFICE AND, CLEARLY, WE'RE BLESSED IN YOUR BELIEF IN POOR KIDS, IN KIDS WHO STILL WANT A HEAD START AND A HEALTHY START IN LIFE.

YOU KNOW, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO START A SPEECH WITHOUT THINKING OF ONE'S PARENTS.

I'M THE THIRD OF NINE CHILDREN.

MY MOTHER, JEAN, A MAID, MY FATHER, LYNELL, A JANITOR.

THEY RAISED NINE KIDS.

NAMING ALL OF THEIR NAMES Laughter WE HAD A GREAT FAMILY.

THEY RAISED US TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER, TO BELIEVE IN THE LORD AND TO PAY FORWARD.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT ALSO FOR ME TO STAND HERE WITHOUT THINKING OF MY GRANDMOTHER, FRANCIS, WHO WAS BORN IN THE GREAT STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

GRANDMA.

IT'S YOUR STATE.

OH, THAT MAGNOLIA STATE.

I CAN TELL MISSISSIPPI PEOPLE BY THE WAY THEY EAT.

Laughter NOTHING LEFT ON THEIR PLATE.

Laughter LOUISIANA, YOU LEAVE A LITTLE BIT ON THE SIDE JUST IN CASE WE WANT TO REMAKE -- HOW DO YOU THINK WE HAVE JAMBALAYA, WE REMAKE IT.

ALL Y'ALL LEAVING THOSE SAUSAGES, THAT'S JAMBALAYA.

MY GRANDMOTHER, FRANCIS, WAS A STURDY AND STRONG WOMAN, AND ON THAT AFTERNOON WHEN SHE RECEIVED NEWS THAT Dr.

KING HAD BEEN SHOT, SHE WAITED UNTIL WE CAME HOME AND WHEN WE ARRIVED AT THE DOOR, SHE SAID, SIT DOWN.

AND WE KNEW SOMETHING WAS UP, BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS UP.

THE FIRST SIGN THAT SOMETHING WAS UP WAS THAT WE DIDN'T SMELL ANYTHING ON THE STOVE.

SO, SHE SAID, LET'S DO THE PRAYER.

WE'RE CATHOLICS.

SO, FORGIVE ME THIS MORNING IF I CAN'T START, SIT DOWN LIKE THEM BAPTIST PREACHERS.

Laughter AND NOW THAT POPE FRANCIS HAS COME ALONG, REVEREND, I'M GOING TO HANG WITH THE CHURCH.

Laughter Applause THE DOOR'S OPEN AGAIN.

Laughter BACK ON OUR KNEES.

BUT MY GRANDMOTHER WANTED US TO PRAY.

TO PRAY FOR Dr.

KING.

BECAUSE SHE STILL HAD FAITH THAT HE WOULD SURVIVE, THAT BULLET WOUND.

AND SHE SAID, PRAY FOR HIS FAMILY BECAUSE Mrs.

KING AND THE KIDS MUST BE GRIEVING RIGHT NOW, WORRIED SICK.

AND SHE TOLD US TO PRAY FOR WHOEVER SHOT HIM.

AND WE LOOKED UP, I WAS 8 YEARS OLD, AND I'LL NEVER FORGET, I SAID, WHAT?

I HAD A BIG MOUTH THEN.

Laughter MY MA WOULD BE PLEASED AT ABC AND CNN PAYS ME TO OPEN MY MOUTH.

Laughter SHE ALWAYS SAID, SHUT UP, DONNA.

OKAY.

THEN I'D WAIT AND THEN I'D START AGAIN.

BUT I SAID, WHY?

AND SHE SAID, BECAUSE Dr.

KING WOULD WANT US TO PRAY FOR OUR ENEMIES.

FOR HIS ENEMIES.

AND, SO, THAT EVENING WE PRAYED THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT.

MY PARENTS CAME HOME, AND THEY WARNED US THAT THINGS WOULD BE EVEN MORE DIFFICULT.

AND WHEN YOU'RE POOR AND WHEN YOUR PARENTS ARE POOR, WHEN EVERYBODY AROUND YOU ARE POOR, HOW CAN THINGS GET WORSE?

AND WE LOOKED AT THEM, WE'RE LIKE, OKAY.

WELL, LATER THAT EVENING, MY MOTHER SAID WE HAD TO STAY INSIDE BECAUSE ALL THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY THINGS WERE UNSETTLED.

AND I TELL YOU, WHEN I THOUGHT MY PARENTS HAD FALLEN ASLEEP, I SNUCK OUTSIDE, WITH NINE KIDS, YOU KNOW, YOU THINK, THEY WON'T MISS ONE.

Laughter AND I WENT AROUND THE BACK OF THE HOUSE, BACK TO THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE.

AND I PUT A BLACK HEAD SCARF OVER THE DOOR, AS IF TO SAY, AT 529 FILLMORE STREET, WE WERE MOURNING, WE WERE SADDENED.

THAT WAS MY MOMENT, BY THE TIME I GOT BACK AROUND THE HOUSE, THAT PORCH LIGHT WAS ON, AND BY THE WAY, BACK THEN, WE DIDN'T HAVE 9-1-1, IF YOU HAD TO CALL SOMEBODY WHEN YOUR MOM TOLD YOU TO GET THE SWITCH, IT WAS NOT 9-1-1.

Laughter THE ZERO, THE OPERATOR KNEW YOUR PARENTS, SAID, WAIT A MINUTE, I'M GOING TO CALL THEM.

YEAH, MY MOTHER TOLD ME I WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO GO OUTSIDE.

THAT WAS MY MOMENT WHEN I HEARD THE CALL.

THE CALL TO SERVE, THE CALL TO STAND UP, THE CALL TO FINISH Dr.

KING'S DREAM.

A LITTLE GIRL, 8 YEARS OLD.

I HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS WAKING UP TO THE NEXT MORNING, BUT I KNEW I BELIEVED THAT I COULD DO SOMETHING, EVEN THOUGH I DIDN'T KNOW WHICH WAY GOD WOULD LEAD ME AND WHAT IT WAS I HAD TO DO.

NO SOONER THAN THAT YEAR PASSED, A VERY TROUBLED YEAR, AS MANY OF YOU RECALL, THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE IN THEIR 50s, THE FIRST LADY HAS MADE IT OVER.

Laughter I WAS THERE THE OTHER NIGHT TO HELP HER DANCE IT THROUGH.

Laughter I THINK AFTER WE SHOWED THEM A COUPLE OF NEW MOVES, SHE WILL BE FINE.

Laughter IN HER 50s.

BUT THOSE OF US OF A CERTAIN GENERATION KNOWS THAT THE YEAR FOLLOWING HIS ASSASSINATION, THERE WAS AN URGENT CAMPAIGN THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY TO GET PEOPLE REGISTERED, TO KEEP PEOPLE HOPEFUL, TO NOT GROW WEARY, FOR A NEW SEASON, AS THE BIBLE SAY, YOU'LL REAP A HARVEST IF YOU DON'T GIVE UP.

I GOT INVOLVED IN POLITICS AT THAT AGE.

I KNOW IT WAS A YOUNG AGE, 9 YEARS OLD, I WASN'T OLD ENOUGH TO VOTE, BUT I COULD HELP OTHER PEOPLE.

I HAD PERFECT CATHOLIC PENMANSHIP.

ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?

Ms.

MARY?

MISS JANE?

MISS HURION, Mr.

JACK?

I WENT UP AND DOWN FILLMORE STREET UNTIL I HAD A COMPLETE LIST AND THEN I TURNED IN TO MISS MINOR.

WE WERE WORKING TO ELECT A CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE WHO PROMISED, WHO PROMISED TO, OF COURSE, PAVE THE ROADS, BUT NOBODY HAD A CAR.

Laughter BUT HE ALSO PROMISED TO BUILD A PLAYGROUND FOR THE KIDS, AND THAT WAS A REASON TO GET EVERYONE REGISTERED.

I SAID, WE WILL HAVE A PLAYGROUND.

AND AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, SOME SEVEN PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS LATER, 18, 19 LOCAL CAMPAIGNS, 56 CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGNS, 49 STATES, ONE MORE, I'LL BECOME MISS U.S.A., WITHOUT THE BIKINI, I'M STILL INVOLVED IN MY SERVICE.

Applause I WANT TO THANK THE GENERAL MILLS FOUNDATION FOR SPONSORING THIS BREAKFAST.

YOU'RE RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY AS ONE OF THE LARGEST AND VERY IMPORTANT CELEBRATIONS OF Dr.

KING'S LEGACY.

GENERAL MILLS, YOUR FOOD IS ALSO IMPORTANT, YOUR NUTRITION.

I HAVE ONE OF YOUR BARS AT MY TABLE.

FEEDING THE HUNGRY IS, AS I MAY SAY, A UNIVERSAL COMMANDMENT, AND GENERAL MILLS, YOU'RE HELPING TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE HUNGRY TO FEED THEMSELVES.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SPONSORSHIP AND FOR MAKING NUTRITION TASTE GOOD.

Applause NOW, AS Dr.

LOMAX RECALLED, WE'RE AT THE MIDPOINT.

TODAY WE CELEBRATE MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY HALFWAY BETWEEN THE JUBILEE OF THE HISTORIC 1963 MARCH ON WASHINGTON FOR JOBS AND FREEDOM AND A JUBILEE OF THE SIGNING OF THE 1964 CIVIL RIGHTS ACT.

IT HAS BEEN 50 YEARS, Dr.

KING WOULD HAVE APPRECIATED THE SIGNIFICANCE.

HE WAS INDEED A MAN OF FAITH, A BELIEVER IN GOD'S PROVIDENCE.

HE ONCE SAID, GOD, SEEK US AND GOD PLACED US.

I TELL YOU NOW, THE WORLD CAN BE DARK.

IT IS DARK WITH EVIL, THE EVIL OF OUR INDIFFERENCE OF EVIL OF A CHILD'S BELLY SWOLLEN FROM HUNGER, THE EVIL OF YOUNG WOMEN AND SLAVES HUMILIATED, SO MANY OF US ARE CHAINED, CHAINED LIKE WILD ANIMALS HOWLING IN THE NIGHT, THE WORLD CAN BE DARK WITH IGNORANCE.

Dr.

KING BELIEVED THAT NOTHING IN THE WORLD IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN SINCERE IGNORANCE AND CONSCIENTIOUS STUPIDITY.

INDEED TO DENY OUR RESPONSIBILITY MAY BE THE GREATEST HEARSAY.

OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE WORLD, TO THE -- TO EACH OTHER, TO OURSELVES, AS WELL AS OUR CREATOR.

THIS TIME WHEN GOD ASKS, WHERE ARE YOU, WHERE ARE YOU, WE MUST ANSWER, RIGHT HERE, GOD, RIGHT HERE, TRYING TO TRANSFORM THE WORLD WITH SMALL ACTS OF GOODNESS AND KINDNESS, RIGHT HERE, LORD, NOT DO UNTO OTHERS WHAT WE DO NOT WANT DONE TO OURSELVES, RIGHT HERE, NOT MURDERING THE HOPE OF THE UNFORTUNATE, NOT STEALING THE DREAMS OF THE INNOCENT, NOT INDULGING IN WANTON DISRESPECT FOR ANOTHER'S DIGNITY.

RIGHT HERE, NOT WORSHIPPING FALSE IDEOLOGIES, BLASPHEMY, INSULT, RIGHT HERE, RIGHT HERE, ESTABLISHING JUSTICE AND EQUALITY FOR ALL.

Dr.

KING SAID, THIS IS A MORAL UNIVERSE.

THERE ARE MORAL LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE, JUST AS ABIDING AS THE PHYSICAL LAWS.

IF WE LOOK AT THE RECENT POLAR VORTEX, THE ARCTIC VORTEX, OR PERHAPS JUST THE CHILL OF MINNESOTA WINTER -- Laughter -- MERELY AN ACT OF AN INDIFFERENT NATURE, WE BLINDED OURSELVES OUT THERE IN A CENTRAL METAPHOR.

WE CANNOT IGNORE THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR ACTIONS.

IF ONE PERSON DOES NOT HAVE A COAT TO KEEP OUT OF THE COLD, WINTER HAS COME INDEED TO THE CORNER OF OUR HEART.

THERE'S A VORTEX IN OUR SOULS.

AND IF WE DO NOT PUT LIMITS ON OUR GREED, OUR SELFISHNESS, OUR ARROGANCE, WE WILL BE WEAKENED AND WE WILL WEAKEN THE BOUNDARIES THAT SEPARATE US FROM THE CHAOS OF CRUELTY AND THE WHIRLWIND OF HATRED.

THERE IS A GREAT DARKNESS IN THE WORLD, BUT Dr.

KING BELIEVED THAT ONLY THE DARKNESS, ONLY IN THE DARKNESS CAN YOU SEE THE STARS.

SO, MY FRIENDS, LET US APPRECIATE WHERE THE LAST 50 YEARS HAVE TAKEN US, 50 YEARS AS A JUBILEE, BUT WHAT OTHER LAWS OF A JUBILEE, THE 50th YEAR IS A YEAR OF SANCTITY, SLAVES OUGHT TO GO FREE, THE -- AND PROPERTY RETURNS TO ITS OWNER.

AND THE 50th YEAR, WE ARE TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY THROUGHOUT THE LAND AND TO ALL THE INHABITANTS THEREOF.

WHETHER IT BE THE RAM'S HORN OR THE LIBERTY BELL, WE MUST SOUND THE INSTRUMENTS THAT DECLARE FREEDOM TO ALL THE INHABITANTS, BE THEY MAN, WOMAN, OR CHILD OF WHATEVER RACE, WHATEVER BELIEF, NOT ONLY OF THIS LAND BUT ALL LANDS.

THERE CAN BE NO FREEDOM WITHOUT DIGNITY, WITHOUT EDUCATION, WITHOUT OPPORTUNITY.

YOU SEE, I WAS A KID WHO GOT THAT HEAD START IN LIFE IN 1964, THANKS TO Dr.

KING, HUBERT HUMPHREY, LYNDON JOHNSON AND THE VISION AND SACRIFICES OF THOSE MEN AND SO MANY OTHERS.

Applause Dr.

KING BELIEVED THAT WE CANNOT JUDGE SUCCESS BY THE SIZE OF OUR SALARIES.

BUT BY THE QUALITY OF OUR SERVICE.

SO MANY PEOPLE WILL BE DISAPPOINTED WHEN THEY GET TO THE GATES, WHEREVER THOSE GATES MAY BE.

Laughter I'M FROM LOUISIANA, SO WHEREVER LOUIE ARMSTRONG IS PLAYING AN INSTRUMENT, I'M GOING THERE.

Laughter IT ISN'T THE SIZE OF YOUR SALARY, IT'S THE QUALITY OF YOUR SERVICE.

BELIEVE THAT.

SO IN THIS JUBILEE YEAR, LET US ASK AS THE LORD ASKED ADAM IN THE GARDEN, WHERE ARE YOU, WHERE ARE YOU?

WHERE ARE WE 50 YEARS LATER?

WE ARE IN MANY PLACES, BUT I'M SPEAKING, SO I'M PRIVILEGED, I'M GRATEFUL AND HONORED AND, YES, I'M HONORED TO BE IN THE GREAT STATE OF MINNESOTA.

I MENTIONED ONE OF MY HEROES, THERE ARE SO MANY IN THIS ROOM, WHO ARE STILL PLAYING A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE, A VITAL ROLE IN KEEPING THE LEGACY OF HUBERT HUMPHREY ALIVE.

I NEVER MET HUBERT HUMPHREY.

I NEVER MET Dr.

KING.

I MET HIS WIFE, I KNOW ALL HIS CHILDREN.

BUT I AM BLESSED TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE SO MANY HERE WHO ARE KEEPING THAT LEGACY ALIVE.

Dr.

KING SAID, THE MOST PERSISTENT AND URGENT QUESTION IS, WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR OTHERS?

WHAT ARE WE DOING TO END SUFFERING IN OUR MIDST?

WE CAN'T REIMAGINE A FUTURE IF WE'RE SITTING ON OUR HANDS.

ALLOWING PEOPLE TO LIVE ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF HOPE AND NOT PAYING ANY ATTENTION TO WHAT'S HAPPENING.

RIGHT NOW -- RIGHT IN OUR OWN BACKYARDS, RIGHT NEXT DOOR.

Dr.

KING WOULD HAVE INSPIRED US TO GET IN THE MOMENT.

Dr.

KING, HAD HE LIVED TO SEE ALL 85 OF HIS YEARS, AND IF WE HAVE -- IF WE HAD CALLED HIM UP THIS MORNING AND NOT ME, A TRUE BAPTIST -- Laughter -- WHAT WOULD HIS DREAM SOUND LIKE TODAY?

WE DO NOT NEED TO REWRITE HISTORY.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

WE CAN QUOTE IT.

WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS.

WE'VE MADE GREAT PROGRESS IN EVERY PART OF THIS COUNTRY.

WE'VE MADE GREAT PROGRESS IN THE SOUTH.

WE MADE IT IN THE WEST, IN THE NORTH AND IN THE EAST.

BUT WE MUST NOW FOCUS ON THE DIRECTION OF THAT PROGRESS TOWARDS A REALIZATION OF A FULL PROGRAM, A CIVIL RIGHTS FOR ALL.

AND I MIGHT JUST SAY IN LAW.

BE EASY TO SAY, OUR TWO GREAT SENATORS HERE WOULD FINISH THE LAWS, AND OUR CONGRESSMEN WOULD MAKE SURE THAT THEY COULD PASS IT AS WELL, AND WE COULD SAY, WE'VE DONE OUR JOB.

THEY DID THEIR JOB.

WE DID OUR JOB BECAUSE WE ELECTED THEM.

WE KNEW THEY WOULD DO THEIR JOB.

BUT THAT'S THE BEGINNING OF IT.

BECAUSE THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS MEANS THAT WE GIVE EVERYBODY A FUTURE.

WE PROVIDE THEM WITH THE NECESSARY TOOLS AND THE MEANS TO BECOME REAL HUMAN BEINGS.

WE DON'T DENY THEM FOOD AND EDUCATION AND THEN POINT OUT FINGERS AT THEM AND JUDGE THEM AND SAY, THEY'RE NOT WORTHY ENOUGH BECAUSE THEY ARE WORTHY ENOUGH.

Applause Dr.

KING WOULD PROBABLY BE EMBARRASSED BY THE ACCOLADES WE GIVE HIM BECAUSE DURING HIS TIME, THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO JUST HATED HIM.

SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DISAGREED WITH HIM, DID NOT WANT HIM ON THE STAGE.

HE ANSWERED THAT CALL AT AN EARLY STAGE.

HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ROSA PARKS WAS DOING.

THREE PEOPLE SAT DOWN WHEN THE BUS DRIVER SAID, SIT.

AND MOVE.

AND SHE JUST STAYED IN HER PLACE.

THANK GOD SHE HAD THE COURAGE TO STAY IN HER PLACE.

Dr.

KING WAS A YOUNG PREACHER IN MONTGOMERY.

HE WAS IN DEXTER AT THE DEXTER AVENUE CHURCH.

HE DIDN'T WANT TO GO BACK TO ATLANTA.

HIS DADDY, BIG DADDY, HE WAS A BIG PREACHER, A BAD PREACHER.

Laughter LAUGH THAT MAN WORKED WAY INTO BEING A PREACHER.

MARRIED ONE OF THE BEST WOMEN IN ATLANTA.

Dr.

KING STARTED, HE STARTED IN MONTGOMERY, AND HE WAS CHOSEN, HE HEARD THAT CALL, AND HE CONVINCED PEOPLE IN THE DEAD OF WINTER, REMEMBER, IT WAS DECEMBER 1st, 1955, WHEN SHE SAT DOWN, HE CONVINCED THEM IN WINTER, NOW I KNOW ALABAMA, WINTERS ARE NOT AS COLD AS MINNESOTA.

Laughter Y'ALL GIVE US A BREAK.

IN THE SOUTH, WE HAVE FOUR SEASONS, SHRIMP, CRAB, CRAWFISH, AND WHEN IT'S COLD, IT'S COLD.

Applause BUT Dr.

KING, HE CONVINCED THEM IN THE WINTER TO STOP RIDING THAT BUS AND TO WALK FROM THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN INTO TOWN TO WORK.

FROM THE OUTSKIRTS OF HOPE.

THEY MADE THEIR WAY EACH AND EVERY DAY UNTIL FINALLY, FINALLY THEIR SACRIFICE AND THEIR STRUGGLE WAS RECOGNIZED.

AND FROM THAT MOMENT Dr.

KING NEVER LOOKED BACK.

HE HEARD THE CALL.

AND HE BECAME OUR LEADER.

HE BECAME THE MAN THAT WE PAY TRIBUTE TODAY.

SO, IN THE FEW MINUTES I HAVE LEFT, I WANT TO REMIND YOU FROM THAT DREAM, THAT DREAM, THOSE PROPHETIC WORDS, THAT VISION THAT HE GAVE US ALMOST 50 YEARS AGO, Dr.

KING WANTED US TO KEEP THAT DREAM ALIVE BECAUSE HE DID NOT WANT TO SEE ANY CHILD LEFT BEHIND.

Dr.

KING WANTED US TO CONTINUE TO PROCLAIM THE EMANCIPATION FOR ALL PEOPLE.

THE EMANCIPATION TODAY IS IMMIGRATION REFORM.

EMANCIPATION TODAY -- Applause IS VOTING RIGHTS.

THERE IS TOO MUCH INTIMIDATION.

THERE'S TOO MUCH, TOO MUCH EFFORT TO DENY CITIZENS THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE.

THE SECOND THEME IS ECONOMICS.

Dr.

KING BELIEVED THAT ECONOMIC INEQUALITY WAS THE MOST INSIDIOUS INJUSTICE IN OUR COUNTRY.

IT WAS INSIDIOUS THEN AND IT IS INSIDIOUS NOW.

Applause WORK THAT DOES -- WORK THAT DOES PROVIDE MORE THAN AN INCOME GIVES DIGNITY.

Dr.

KING BELIEVED IN THE CONSTITUTION.

THE CONSTITUTION THAT ALLOWS US TO BELIEVE THAT AMERICA IS STILL FORMING A MORE PERFECT UNION.

HE DIDN'T WANT AMERICA TO DEFAULT ON THAT CHECK.

HE DIDN'T WANT A BAD CHECK FOR ANYBODY IN THIS SOCIETY.

Dr.

KING BELIEVED IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL METAPHOR, OF COURSE, TODAY WE WOULD TALK ABOUT HEALTH CARE.

YES, WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT HEALTH CARE.

I'M 54.

THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

Laughter AND WHEN I'M 75, I'LL LOOK LIKE TINA TURNER AND I'LL SAY, THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

Laughter Applause HEALTH CARE.

MY MOM DIED AT 52, SHE WAS A MAID, SHE WORKED TWO JOBS, SHE CAME HOME ON A FRIDAY, SHE DIDN'T FEEL GOOD.

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER GIVING BIRTH TO NINE KIDS, SHE WENT BACK TO CHARITY HOSPITAL IN NEW ORLEANS, AND THE NEXT DAY, MY MOM, MY MOM HAD LEFT US.

HEALTH CARE.

THERE CAN BE NO LIBERTY, NO PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS IF ONE IS ILL OF DISEASE, IF BILLS CONTROLS ONE'S LIFE.

IT IS TIME TO EMBRACE HEALTH CARE FOR ALL AMERICANS.

Applause THE FIERCE URGENCY, NOW WE MUST SEIZE THE TIME BEFORE IT SLIPS FROM OUR MINDS.

AS Dr.

KING SAID, JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED.

WE CAN ALWAYS FIND A QUIBBLE, AN EXCUSE, A REASON NOT TO ENGAGE, BUT IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

BE NOT INDIFFERENT.

BE THE COURAGE THAT ENCOURAGES OTHERS.

Dr.

KING BELIEVED IN NONVIOLENCE.

HE PLEADED WITH HIS FELLOW CITIZENS NOT TO RESORT TO VIOLENCE.

HE PLEADED WITH THOSE IN THE MOVEMENT NOT TO RESORT TO VIOLENCE.

WHAT WOULD HE SAY TO AMERICA TODAY?

STOP KILLIN' THE CHILDREN.

Dr.

KING WOULD TELL US THAT WE HAVE TO PUT AN END TO THE GUN VIOLENCE IN OUR SOCIETY.

Applause VIOLENCE CAN BE VERBAL, THE THREATS OF VIOLENCE, THE CALLS FOR ATTACK ON PUBLIC OFFICIALS, MURDER FOR A BREATH, MURDER FOR A BREACH.

AS HAPPENED IN A MOVIE THEATER, FEAR, HATRED SO CONQUERED US?

HAVE WE BECOME POLITICAL VAMPIRES LIVING VICARIOUSLY ON THE BLOOD OF THE OTHER?

HATE IS TOO GREAT A BURDEN, Dr.

KING SAID, TO BEAR.

LET NO ONE PULL YOU SO LOW AS TO HATE HIM.

OR HER.

LAST, WHEN Dr.-- Dr.

KING BELIEVED WE COULD NEVER WALK ALONE.

WE DO NOT HAVE TO ENGAGE WITH EACH OTHER.

WE DON'T HAVE TO EVEN AGREE WITH EACH OTHER.

BUT WE HAVE TO RESPECT EACH OTHER.

WE HAVE TO TOLERATE AND ACCEPT EACH OTHER AS HUMAN BEINGS.

Dr.

KING SAID, WHAT AFFECTS ONE IN A MAJOR WAY AFFECTS ALL IN A MINOR WAY.

FINALLY, Dr.

KING SAID THAT WE CAN NEVER BE SATISFIED, WE CAN NEVER TURN BACK, BUT INCREASE OUR SERVICE TO OTHERS, LET US AIR TO THE CHARITY WE GIVE, LET US EXHIBIT GRATITUDE, LET US EXPECT MORE OF OURSELVES THAN WE DO OF OTHERS, AND LET US NOT BE SATISFIED UNTIL JUSTICE ROLLS DOWN LIKE WATER AND RIGHTEOUSNESS LIKE A MIGHTY STREAM.

LET US LEAVE THE DAY BELIEVING THAT Dr.

KING WOULD HAVE STILL HEARD AND LISTENED TO HIS CALL AND HE WOULD HAVE LED US BY EXAMPLE AND LET US PROCEED WITH FAITH, FAITH THAT FREEDOM WILL RING, FAITH THAT WE CAN TRANSFORM OURSELVES AND OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR COUNTRY AND FAITH AND FAITH IN THE FEAR OF INADEQUACY, THEN TAKING THE NEXT STEP FORWARD.

THANK YOU.

AND GOD BLESS YOU.

Applause >> ALL RIGHT, WELL, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, DONNA, FOR THOSE STIRRING WORDS.

YOUR COMMENTS HAVE INSPIRED US TO BE COMPASSIONATE AND CONCERNED CITIZENS AND REALLY TAKE ACTION TO ADVANCE OUR NATION.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE, WHETHER YOU'RE HERE LIVE, WATCHING ON THE TV, WATCHING OVER THE INTERNET.

AS IS TRADITION, WE'D LIKE TO CLOSE OUT OUR BREAKFAST WITH A HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Dr.

KING.

THANK YOU.

>> COME ON, PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER.

YEAH.

YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T MAKE MUCH SENSE THERE OUGHT TO BE A LAW OF KINS ANYONE WHO TAKES OFFENSE IN THAT CELEBRATION THAT THERE OUGHT TO BE A TIME THAT WE SHOULD SET ASIDE JUST TO SHOW HOW MUCH WE LOVE YOU AND I'M SURE YOU WOULD AGREE HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA HAPPY BIRTHDAY WE OUGHT TO SET ASIDE ANYONE WHO TAKES OFFENSE AT US >> COVERAGE OF MINNESOTA'S 2014 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

HOLIDAY BREAKFAST IS SPONSORED BY UNCF, THE UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND, AND IS SUPPORTED BY THE GENERAL MILLS FOUNDATION.