City of Fort Worth employees have continued to keep the dream of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. alive by consistently forging ahead for the last twenty years, creating a weekend of learning and memorial activities by involving the city as a whole in the spirit of a man who fought for the inclusion of all.

The new city manager, Charles Boswell, increased the budget for this year’s commemoration that allowed the MLK planning committee to bring in a distinguished member of Congress, U.S. House of Representative of Maryland's 7th district, Elijah E. Cummings. The Honorable Elijah Cummings was this year's guest speaker at the kick-off MLK celebration held during the noon hour at the renovated downtown Convention Center.

Maryellen Hicks served as the afternoon's mistress of ceremonies, navigating the affairs distinguished guest on hand to make the 20th year MLK commemoration one to remember.

Along with Congressman Cummings, city officials such as Mayor Pro-Tem Ralph McCloud, Forth Worth city manager Charles Boswell, Council man Donovan Wheatfall, Star-Telegram Vice-President/columnist Bob Ray Sanders and Mark Veasey were all involved.

The audience was enriched by the renowned O.D Wyatt High School's Singing Chaparrals, directed by Jewel Kelly, and the Eastern Hills High School Unity Dance Group.

Approximately 300 students from the Fort Worth ISD were in attendance to witness the honorable Congressman share with the audience of his personal experiences of watching society move forward from the time he was a high school student when Dr. King was alive until now.

The crowd remained spellbound as the honorable Congressman told of how he gradated from the city college and how as member of Congress a young girl from the inner city of Baltimore described how the environment and day to day functions of school were looking more and more like the schools during the days of segregation.

"And that is not what Dr. King died for," according to Congressman Cummings. "We have a big responsibility to our children, and if we're not going to be responsible, then don't bring them into the world," he roared.

The same evening, the Convention Center ballroom was readily prepared for the 20th annual MLK Youth Awards Banquet. The earlier mistress of ceremonies, switched hats, to be the keynote speaker for the evening activities, and Councilman Donovan Wheatfall served as the evenings emcee.

The banquet was privy to saxophonist John Taylor's musical ambiance for the gathering prior to official business at hand. 

Maryellen, as expected, delivered a high-powered speech written by her daughter Kathleen and Mayor Pro-Tem Ralph McCloud that symbolized an imagined tour around the world and gave a blistering report of what was seen. It was a speech filled with duty and purpose for all to take heed.

Mayor Pro-Tem Ralph McCloud.