Community Outreach

DeLisle Diversity Networks Lead 2008 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Site Celebration

On November 2, 1983, former President Ronald Regan signed into law House of Representatives Bill Number 3706 declaring January 15, the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., a national Holiday.  The official recognition of this holiday began in 1986, and occurs on the third Monday in January each year.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday celebrates the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America. We commemorate as well the timeless values he taught us through his example -- the values of courage, truth, justice, compassion, dignity, humility and service that so radiantly defined Dr. King’s character and empowered his leadership. On this holiday, we commemorate the universal, unconditional love, forgiveness and nonviolence that empowered his revolutionary spirit.

On this day we commemorate Dr. King’s great dream of a vibrant, multiracial nation united in justice, peace and reconciliation; a nation that has a place at the table for children of every race and room at the inn for every needy child. We are called on this holiday, not merely to honor, but to celebrate the values of equality, tolerance and interracial sister and brotherhood he so compellingly expressed in his great dream for America.

It is a day of interracial and intercultural cooperation and sharing. No other day of the year brings so many peoples from different cultural backgrounds together in such a vibrant spirit of brother and sisterhood. Whether you are African-American, Hispanic or Native American, whether you are Caucasian or Asian-American, you are part of the great dream Martin Luther King, Jr. had for America. This is not a black holiday; it is a peoples' holiday. And it is the young people of all races and religions who hold the keys to the fulfillment of his dream.

On Monday, January 21st the DeLisle Diversity Networks hosted the 2008 Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration with a lunch and played recordings of several of Dr. Kings speeches.  The “Taste of DeLisle” celebration was open to everyone on site and all were asked to bring a special or unique potluck dish representing your cultural diversity and background.  The plan was to fill the lunchroom with a unique aroma of the rich mosaic of Gulf Coast cultures that make this region so great. 

The event was also designed to provide an opportunity for all employees to get information about the DeLisle Diversity Networks.  All who attended enjoyed the event.