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The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute and Dinner
JANUARY 29th 5:15 p.m.
€30 Adults
€15 Children
Hotel The Hague - Wassenaar
(De Bijhorst)
(Just off the A-44 at the bridge)
Zijdeweg 54
Paul Rusesabangina hero of “Hotel Rwanda” will speak
recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
On November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill making the third Monday in January a federal holiday in honor of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. At the time, he noted that Dr. King’s 39 years changed America forever. “The conscience of America has been touched.”
Since 1985, we have commemorated Martin Luther King Day in this community. This year, we are incredibly honored to have Paul Rusesabagina as the keynote speaker, a man like Dr. King for whom being a “Bystander”was not an option. Mr. Rusesabagina is credited with saving 1200 lives during the Genocide in Rwanda. The film “Hotel Rwanda” tells his story. In recognition of his actions, President George W. Bush honored him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He is also a recipient of the National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Award, the Raoul Wallenberg Medal, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Prize. Mr. Rusesabagina said, “The genocide took about one million people in 100 days. History keeps repeating itself, but it doesn’t teach us any lessons. Never again has turned into again and again and again!” If there is any reason to commemorate the work of Dr. Martin Luther King or as we do this month, Holocaust Memorial Day, that statement of reality is certainly the justification.
Two veterans of the Civil Rights Movement will also share their very personal stories. We must never forget how we got from Segregation to where we are today. Lois Mothershed Pot was the first African-American President of the National Christian Students Union, the first Black student in her university and the “big sister” of Thelma Mothershed, one of the “Little Rock Nine,” the high school kids who had to be escorted by the National Guard to enter Central High in Little Rock, Arkansas!
Rev. Harcourt Klinefelter finished Yale University Theological Seminary and was “called down South” to find Dr. King. He worked for him for three years, until his death. He reminisces about sitting in the King family kitchen and listening in awe. His lifelong commitment to non-violent conflict resolution reflects those idealistic times.
Roberta Alexander, the distinguished American soprano will also join us. She has sung with the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera at Covent Garden, at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and the Concertgebouw and with the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Houston Symphony. In honor of Dr. King, she will sing at the Hotel The Hague-Wassenaar!
Adrienne West and David Cameron will share their talents too. David was the choreographer for the Broadway production of Five Guys Named Moe and performed in the Broadway, West End and European tours of Bubbling Brown Sugar. Highlights of Adrienne West’s career include the New York production of Bubbling Brown Sugar and Ain’t Misbehavin’ and the role of Bessie Smith in the musical Mahalia. Tony Ward, an American Gospel and Rock artist will sing the “Anthem of the Civil Rights Movement - Lift up Your Voice and Sing.”
The ASH Jazz Combo under the direction of Jimmy Yarnell and the ASH Singers directed by Liat Alkan will sing and play. Other young people will speak about the heritage of Dr. King and what it means in the world they are charged to build.
Lisa Kierans, Deputy for Political Affairs at the United States Embassy will read the Presidential Proclamation and reflect.
This year, there is much to reflect upon. The Martin Luther King Memorial now rises on the Mall. It was dedicated last October and Christine King Farris, a small elegant octogenarian woman dressed in royal blue spoke about being there the day her little brother Martin was born. She spoke of unity and the creation of a beloved community and most certainly was speaking for her “little brother.” Former Secretary of State General Colin Powell noted that “We can not forget where we came from” and Attorney-General Eric Holder pointed out that Dr. King broke “unjust laws.” Former news anchor, Dan Rather who covered Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement talked about “Lifters and Leaners.” He observed, “While thousands leaned on him, I never saw his shoulders give way or his back bent.” And finally, the poet Nikki Giovanni intoned, “If we are wrong, then the Constitution of the United States is wrong. This is a sacred poem!” President Obama referred to the “Great wells of democracy that were dug deep by the formulation of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.” At the end of the dedication, Aretha Franklin sang out “Precious Lord,” Dr. King’s favorite song and a chorus echoed the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “We Shall Overcome.” Despite the hurricane and the earthquake, almost forty-eight years after
“ I Have a Dream,” Dr. King’s Memorial took its rightful place on the Mall, ushered in by veterans of the Civil Rights Movement, singers, poets, soldiers, statesmen, parents and children.
“There comes a time when silence is betrayal.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“We saw the whole world closing their eyes and ears.” Paul Rusesabangina
Everyone is welcome. We hope you will join us and bring your family, your neighbors, your friends and above all, your children. “Let us break bread together.”
Sponsored by OAR- Overseas Americans Remember in cooperation with De Bosksant
Anneke Beeuwkes Roberta Enschede Tove McGrew Anne van Oorschot Jessie Rodell
Further information:
070-5118409 / 0654253650
Reservations:
robertaenschede@yahoo.com
MLK Tribute
The presence of Mr. Paul Rusesabagina is made possible by
R.C. Spiritual Center De Boskant.
OAR is very grateful to De Boskant and above all to Mr. Theo Wierema, Director.
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