Dear Editor,
On Thursday, Jan. 16, the City/County, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award Commission met to select an individual to receive the annual award representing the works and contributions of the late Dr. King.
This individual from Dane County needed to have made outstanding and significant contributions in the spirit of Dr. King toward improving brotherhood, sisterhood, and harmony leading to making our community an ideal place in which to live. The Commissioners considered how well the candidates upheld the values of Dr. King, with extraordinary personal commitments to promoting racial diversity, advancing social justice, and exemplifying the non-violent philosophy of Dr. King.
This year there were a record number of candidates to choose from and each has made significant contributions to our community making the selection of one person difficult. The discussion took about 1.5 hours and was wonderfully positive throughout.
After the vote took place the Commission decided that each candidate, not selected, would receive a certificate acknowledging their prominence and the fact that they were nominated, a true honor in itself.
The individual selected will be announced and the award presented during the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration hosted by the King Coalition at the 31st annual Madison and Dane County observation, January 18th at the Overture Center, Capitol Theatre starting at 5 p.m. with Freedom Songs and at 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with the observance.
As Chair of the Commission I am proud of the group supported by City and County staff and pleased that we have done our best to uphold the values of a man who gave his life to improve our country. A special thanks to all who participated.
David Wandel,
Chair of the City/County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award Commission.
