For those of us from the south, 50 years ago we received our marching orders when dr. Martin luther king jr. Quote it the prophet isaiah, i have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted and every hill should be made low and the crooked places will be made straight and the glory of the lord should be revealed and all flesh. And this is the faith that we go back to the south with and those are our marching orders and this is the faith that we go back to the south with. Yes, the south. Where some are still trying to fight the civil war. Where we areh witnessing this vicious attack on voters, Voting Rights, and the blatant voting suppression i. Ne particular Political Party yes, the south where young teenage africanamerican boys cannot walk the streets of his fathers neighborhood without being profiled, confronted, stalked, and finally murdered every watched over 45 days were governor because of the relentless protests of people on sanford reluctantly appointed a reluctant prosecutor who reluctantly put together a prosecuting team who did a poor job in presenting their case very watching a murderer go free , watching our community and our country try to go back 50 years ago. Face andway with the the words of the prophet, isaiah once again. The day that wait upon the lord shall renew as shall model with wings as shall run and not be weary as shall walk and not faint. Joe madison. 50 years ago, 1963, there was not the Congressional Black Caucus. 2013, we have a Congressional Black Caucus and they are here. Let me acknowledge them over to my right. Ladies and gentlemen, representatives of the 43 members of the Congressional Black Caucus. [applause] ago, 50 years ago, in this commemoration and continuation, the citizens of the city did not have the right to vote in congress. 50 years later, we still do not have a right to vote and we are demanded and dr. King that washington, d. C. Should be the 51st state of the United States of america. Residents. Or 600,000 forth thatt it go this is not only a commemoration of continuation. But what you have here are two generations that have come together and there is a lot said about the joshua generation. The younger people. Them, it was the moses generation that pointed the way. We need both generations working sidebyside together and so let this be a date in which moses points the way for joshua the walls of segregation of racism and materialism come tumbling down. Our that, let me introduce irst speaker for this segment, the director of Foreign Policy friends committee, a national legislation, dr. Michael shank. The day after Martin Luther king died, Robert Kennedy spoke on violence. Here is what he said, what has violence accomplished and created . We tolerate a rising level of violence that ignores our common humanity. We glorify killing on movie screens and call it entertainment. We make it easy for men to acquire at weapons. We honor the wielders of force. We excuse those willing to build their lives on the shattered dreams of other. There is another violence just as deadly. This is the violence of inaction. President kennedy was equally unequivocal. We need the kind of piece that makes life worth living. Too many of us think it is impossible, but that is a dangerous belief, said the president. Dr. King called america the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today. He was right. And still is today. When profit motive and Property Rights are considered more important than people, he said, the giant triplets of militarism is incapable of being conquered. A true revolution of values will look and easily on the glaring contrast to party and well. A true revelation will say this way of settling differences is not just. American can lead the way in the revolution of values. No document can make these humans any less of our brothers. The true meaning of compassion and nonviolence is when it helps us to see the enemys point of view. There is nothing to prevent us from reordering our priorities. The pursuit of peace will take precedence over the pursuit of war. Let us practice what they [applause] ladies and gentlemen, the president of the National Black sharon hicks. Tion. One of my mentors told me in order to truly be free, you must give to causes greater than yourself. Every day, i educate, allocate, and celebrate the contributions of the lot lesbian, gay, transgender community. If any of my brothers and sisters are not free, none of us are free. Today i looked up the man,ributions of a black gay he felt for the freedoms. He lived at the intersection of these identities fighting for the freedoms of all people. He was a radical and visionary, a black gay activist for freedom and justice during a time when the existence of both identities were perilous. He owned his power. He fiercely challenged the status quo and fought for those marginalized while refusing to be defined by any single aspect of his identity. He was as unapologetically black as he was gay and by his very presence he challenged the evils of homophobia and racism his legacy his life. Leaves [indiscernible] [crowd murmurs] our next speaker, the president of habitat for humanity. What does the lord require of you but to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your god. These words from micah 6 8 stir my heart just as much today as they did when i first heard them she wouldrandmother. Challenge me to be useful. My outspoken grandmother was a congresswoman from new jersey who came to politics through the Civil Rights Movement and marched with leon sullivan. She considered the Old Testament instructions as marching orders to fight against injustice and for equality. At habitat for humanity, our vision is similar to that of dr. King. We break down barriers as we build up the walls. We bring people together in an effort to create a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Since 1976, habitat has helped more than 3 Million People realize their dreams for a Better Future because no one should live in poverty housing. We will not let our hammers or our voices rest until the world believes safe, decent, Affordable Housing matters. The reality is if children do not live in decent homes, the odds of their staying healthy plummets, they will not do well in school. Without an education, they cannot get jobs. They will not be able to provide for their families or break the stranglehold of poverty. We cannot abide that. The next speaker is the deputy u. S. Program director for sanchezghts watch. Maria marino. Good morning. I did not grow up in the United States. One of the things that impressed me the most about this country was a simple fact that all around me in newspapers, college classrooms, on tv, and radio, there was an active dialogue, sometimes frustrating, but an active one, about our rights. In law school, we spent weeks talking about the 14th amendment to the constitution and the guaranteed equal protection. People talk about race, gender, Sexual Orientation. Even more exciting, people empowered. They knew that if they spoke up, they could change things. As a latina woman, i knew the opportunities open to meet where because of those who demanded a more just society. It is wonderful to be with you and honor those who marched 50 years ago in the name of equal rights for all. In my work, i see the u. S. Still has a long way to go. The u. S. Has the largest reported prison population in the world. People of color are far more likely to be arrested or imprisoned. Too many migrants live in fear of being torn away from their families. That makes them easy prey for those that would abuse the rights. Poverty has increased in recent decades. Far too many of the poorest are women and people of color. The list goes on. We also have reasons for hope. Policy makers are starting to our next speaker, a young lady who has kept the faith, has dealt with Voter Suppression throughout this nation, the president and executive director of the National Committee for civil rights. Good morning, everyone. We are here today because there is a great spirit sweeping this land, demanding justice for all americans, a spirit that knows no boundaries based on race, color, or who you love. A spirit that demands every human being be dignified. A spirit that says there is a right to be just in every aspect of our life. A spirit that says we must have the right to vote, that nothing is more important than that everyone has the right to vote. A spirit the demands the end to Voter Suppression in north carolina, texas, alabama, florida, georgia, ohio. We must allow the people to vote. Remember, if you remember nothing else he serves with his father in ministry and his biological father, the reverend jasper williams. He is the rev. Joseph williams, pastor of the Salem Bible Church of atlanta, georgia. Why are you here . To commemorate or participate . Commemorate means i am celebrating something that has already occurred. To participate means i am and actively involved in right now. Are you here because you want to be seen . Do you desire to be a part of change . Are you here to point fingers and blame or hold hands with your brother or your sister . 50 years ago, the works of our forefathers and mothers allowed us to see the realization of the first black president. Our country still has a race issue all of us need to be a part of. Why are you here . The change is not a black or white thing. It is not a yellow, gay, or straight thing. It is an american thing. For us to eliminate racism, we must obliterate the concept of race to understand there is only one race. That is the human race. God bless. [applause] our next speaker is the president of george mason university, dr. Angel cabrera. Thousands of young men and women are denied a College Education every year. They are shut out of the American Dream, not because they are not smart enough, not because they are not talented enough. Not because they are ready to work hard enough. But because their parents may not be rich enough. Because they may not be american enough. Because they may not be documented enough. Dr. King said injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. He said the time is always right to do what is right, and i say the time to break down the barriers of access to education is now. I say i would not be here if not for education. Most of us would not be here if not for education. The American Dream is not a destination. It is a struggle. It is a struggle that takes the work of all of us. Let us struggle together. Let us dream together. [speaking spanish] gracias, god bless. Our next speaker, the economist and director of Columbia University earth institute. If the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice, it is because righteous souls in each generation pull at each end. 50 years ago at this spot, king spoke to righteous men and women who fulfill their role in shaping the moral universe. They did their job bravely and well. We honor them today. The great task of moral construction is never finished. There is no final victory on earth. Only an inheritance of justice each generation must renew and pass to the next. 1963 was a year of moral crisis and renewal. It was a year to rescue americas soul and move the world as john f. Kennedy did with the Nuclear Test Ban treaty. It was the year of martyrdom of that young president who told us that when one man is enslaved, all are not free. 2013 is another year of moral crisis. America is mired in income inequality and poverty. American eslaves multitudes of black and hispanic young men to feed the greed of its privatized penitentiaries. America sends drone missiles that kill innocent weddinggoers in a misguided war on islam. It is our turn to bend the arc of the moral universe. We must banish the money lenders, not from the temple but from congress and the white house. We must beat swords into plowshares joining with israelis and palestinians to honor the prophets of peace. We must end our assault on nature and harvest the sun and the wind instead. In our age of greed and glitter, the world of justice seems to be stilled. Do not be deceived. The ancient cry still moves us today. Justice, justice shall you pursue so you can live in the promised land. Our next speaker is the president of youth build usa. Good morning. I am happy we are back calling with one voice for the creation of the beloved community that reverend king named as our goal. Many of us have spent 50 years marching quietly toward that dream. I want to first of all the millions of Unsung Heroes of the grassroots who have given their lives and heart to help other people. Let me name just one, leroy looper, my mentor, a great man who passed away in 2011 having done great good. But his complete dream was unfulfilled. Reverend kings core message was about the power of love. We sang that if we had a hammer of love between our brothers and sisters all over this land. We have been hammering out that love. My colleagues have hammered out hundreds of safe oases for young people who join hands building Affordable Housing for their neighbors while they complete their own High School Education and take leadership in their communities. They are now the ones hammering out love between their brothers and sisters. Their parents are proud. Their younger siblings are awed and their children are thriving. They are the lucky few. Millions are being locked out of society or locked up. Many expect to be dead or in jail by the time theyre 25. This is a national sin and 7 million, 16 to 24yearolds out of school and out of work. They have talent, heart, soul, intelligence, and dreams. Our nation needs them. Imagine hundreds of thousands of them she must have been a baby when she started with pepsico. Please welcome a Senior Vice President of Global Diversity pamelaclusion officer. Culpepper. Good morning. It is a privilege to join with you to celebrate his great milestone in american history. Thank you, rev. Al sharpton for your long commitment to improving opportunities for all disenfranchised people. Were proud to partner with you. Our appreciation goes out to everyone who plays a role in fulfilling the mission of the National Action network. Martin luther king, iii, thank thank you for carrying the torch lit by your parents to help. The world of economic and social injustice. I am proud to be among the Pepsico Associates who are here to reinforce the values of equality and fairness. I cannot introduce all of my olleagues. I cannot introduce all of my colleagues. I would like to take a moment to recognize one. Let me tell you about wesley dickerson. He was 7 years old when he watched dr. Martin luther king delivered his i have a dream speech from on top of his fathers shoulders. He remembers his father telling him and his sister that the march mattered because it was about equality for all. 50 years later, he is here with us today and has been instrumental in making sure the logistics Work Together for todays march. The principles of human dignity, civil equality, and Economic Empowerment for all our core values of pepsico. Almost 75 years ago, we were the first Major Company to integrate management and the first to elevate an africanamerican to vicepresident. One year before the 1963 march on washington. Were dedicated to the ideals of this march and what it represents. I am proud to stand on behalf of all Pepsico Associates here today and on the shoulders of those who made it possible for me to stand before you. I am deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity. Thank you. Our next speaker is the grandson of mahatma gandhi. Biographer, research prof. At the center for south asian and middle eastern studies, univ. Of illinois, dr. Gandhi. My grandfather never visited the United States, but his heart was fully involved in the struggle in this country. In february, 1936, after meeting four africanamericans in western india, this is what he said. If it comes true, it may be through the African Americans that the adult trade of message of nonviolence will be delivered to the world. In 1967, four years after the 1963 march, dr. King said this n new york city. Every nation must develop an overriding loyalty to mankind as a whole. Dr. King added a warning against what he called the apathy of conformist thought. Today as we underline americas enormous needs, dr. Kings phrase of overriding loyalty to humankind also demands our attention. Conformist thought stops us from time to assess. We must ask if we want democracy here but only dependable friends elsewhere. Our next speaker, a social activist, civil rights leader, chairman emeritus of the naacp. I thought he forgot to give him is name. I met this man when i was just a sophomore in college. Ladies and gentlemen, long before there was a barack obama, there was a julian bond nominated for Vice President of the United States. He was a citizen of the u. S. A. And a proud citizen of georgia. Ladies and gentlemen, julian bond. [applause] thank you. I am delighted to be here just as i was delighted to be here 50 years ago. Then we could not have imagined we would be here 50 years later with a black president and black attorney general. But that is a measure of how far we have come. Still we march. We march because Trayvon Martin in the pantheon of young black murders. We march be