For Immediate Release: Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Hundreds of residents joined County Executive Ike Leggett to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a special tribute ceremony held on Monday, January 16.
The event produced by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Committee and the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights was held at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda.
The event showcased a diverse group of talented performers who shared Dr. King’s legacy of justice through music, word and dance. Highlights of the entertainment included a dramatic presentation titled, “From Montgomery Alabama to Montgomery County,” performed by local actors, students and volunteers. Other performances included dance ensembles, vocalists, choirs and a special performance of “Justice In America” by Joy of Motion performers.
Winners of the annual Humanitarian Award, Children of the Dream and Literary Awards were announced at the ceremony.
The Humanitarian Award is presented each year to an individual who through acts of service and commitment has enhanced and profoundly impacted the lives and well-being of members of our community. Rockefeller Ludwig Twyman received this year’s Humanitarian Award for his benevolent work. Since 1998 Twyman has organized life-saving bone marrow donor drives across Montgomery County. He founded the Pray for Pump Movement that has grown into a national grassroots organization that addresses social issues. Twyman’s fundraising efforts have raised thousands of dollars to aid victims of disasters.
Kailande Cassamajor, Wheaton High School senior, received the Children of the Dream Award for her work in her school and community to promote equality and bring awareness to social justice. The Children of Dream Award is presented to a student who demonstrates outstanding character and community involvement.
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Literary Awards were presented to Erica Muragaki, fifth-grader at Candlewood Elementary School; Kidus Walelign at fifth-grader, Ritchie Park Elementary School; and Reina Muragaki at third-grader, Candlewood Elementary School. The students read their winning essays on this year’s event theme from Dr. King’s quote “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Joining Leggett were Council President Roger Berliner, Council Vice President Hans Riemer Councilmembers Marc Elrich, Sidney Katz and Craig Rice. Members from the U.S, representatives who attended included John K. Delaney, 6th Congressional District; Jamie Raskin U.S., 8th Congressional District; John P. Sarbanes, 3rd Congressional District.
Sponsors for the event included: BioHealth Innovations, Carl M. Freeman Foundation, Choice Hotels International, Comcast, Community Foundation in Montgomery County, County Executive Ike Leggett, Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Lerch, Early & Brewer, Marriott, Montgomery County Muslim Foundation, Pepco, Social & Scientific Systems, Southern Management Corporation, the Music Center at Strathmore, Text Design, The Bozzuto Group, The Sanford and Doris Slavin Foundation, United Therapeutic Corporation, Universities at Shady Grove,Verizon, Washington Gas, and Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.
# # #
Release ID: 17-439