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CNN Live At Daybreak
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebrated Today
Aired January 21, 2002 - 06:10 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: You know, many of you are taking time today to remember the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. The civil rights leader assassinated in 1968.
CNN's Eric Phillips is live at the church this morning. Eric, what will the ceremonies be like?
ERIC PHILLIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Carol.
Organizers here at the King Center are calling this holiday a day on and not a day off. I had an opportunity to speak personally one on one with Mrs. Coretta Scott King, who said that today's service will make special efforts to reach out to the young people in the community. It will be held at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. King was co-pastor from 1960 until 1968.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS (voice-over): Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative services have been held at Ebenezer Baptist Church every year since 1969. Of the many faces in the crowd, one represents an unparalleled perspective. She lived with him as his partner, mother of his children, and co-laborer in the struggle.
CORETTA SCOTT KING, MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.'S WIFE: Once my home was bombed and I had to really think about the cost, then I realized that I was being prepared for this role.
PHILLIPS: A role that didn't cease upon Dr. King's assassination in 1968. That same year, she established the King Center, where her husband's body rests. Mrs. King also fought for a national King holiday. President Ronald Reagan signed the proclamation, declaring the holiday in 1983.
KING: I feel a great sense of responsibility, that -- making sure that Martin Luther King Jr. is projected in the right way.
PHILLIPS: So does the National Park Service, which is restoring historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. The restoration will allow visitors to see how it looked during Dr. King's time. Crews worked to complete the first of two phases last week, so the tradition of having an annual MLK service here would not be broken.
On Friday, the church's neon sign was lit for the first time in more than a decade.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're delighted to finally light it and let it stand as a symbol of the things to come.
KING: We want to keep his spirit alive. Let us see that it never dies, so that we can go on and fulfill the dream.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: And today's service will include remarks from First Lady Laura Bush. And Bishop Eddie Long (ph) of Atlanta will be the keynote speaker. A parade will follow today's program.
Live in Atlanta, I'm Eric Phillips -- Carol, back to you.
COSTELLO: You're going to be there for the parade, Eric?
PHILLIPS: That's right, I'll be here all morning long.
COSTELLO: You get a front-row seat. You're nice and early.
PHILLIPS: I am. Nice and early and here for the rain.
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