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The New York State Black and Puerto Rican Legislative Caucus

On The Occasion of This 15th Annual Dinner Program
Honor and Salutes A Great American Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

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CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE

January 19,1986
THE NELSON A. ROCKEFELLER EMPIRE STATE PLAZA

Dear Friend:
On behalf of the New York State Black and Puerto Rican Legislative Caucus, I would like to take this time to thank you for attending our 15th Annual Weekend entitled, "The Legacy in Legislative Progress, Making the Dream Possible."
This year's Weekend is of particular significance to the Caucus and the constituents that we represent since it coincides with the first national birthday celebration of the Nobel Peace Prize winner and human rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
As legislators, we in the Caucus are particularly indebted to Dr. King, because had it not been for his leadership during the struggle for the enactment of the Voting Rights Act, we might not have our increased numbers in government today. 
As the inheritors of Dr. King's grand legacy, we are also mindful of the fact that the struggle which he led is not yet over. 
We understand that by the time of his untimely death, Dr. King had already begun to mobilize a poor peoples' campaign which had as its objective, empowering the powerless for the purpose of initiating economic and social change.
We who believe in justice must view Dr. King's birthday as more than a time of celebration, but also as a time of rededication. We must embrace the belief that it is not enough for a man or woman to sit down anywhere on a bus if the bus is headed to the unemployment office or to a "ghetto."
On this most important holiday we would do well to remember that the best way of saying "Happy Birthday Dr. King", is to live a life that is committed to Justice instead of Just-US.
Yours in Faith and Unity,
Roger L. Green