Chicago Heights honors Dr. King
Posted on 2010-01-19 15:56:36 CST
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the rousing celebration for him in Chicago Heights touched upon faith, family, politics and even Haiti.
The 13th annual event held in the civil rights icon's honor was hosted Monday evening at the Chicago Miracle Temple Church, 34 E. 16th St.
Residents from surrounding areas, as well as local politicians and city workers, showed up to honor King and his memory. Chicago Miracle Temple co-pastor Cheryl Anderson gave the opening remarks, giving thanks as she talked about her daughter's recent bout with meningitis.
"When I was staying in St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights, I was saying, 'please God touch my child,' " Anderson said. "A few days later it was progressing, and there was no bacterial infection. -- Tonight as we look upon Haiti and all suffering countries, let's remember prayer changes things."
Chicago Heights City Clerk Ethel Taylor served as the mistress of ceremony, telling anecdotes and introducing the speakers.
After the opening invocation from Greater Faith Baptist Church pastor Walter Mosby, Taylor introduced Ald. Wanda Rodgers (3rd), who led the church through the program's first musical number.
With a full-throated gospel voice, Rodgers sang "Lord Give Us This Day," hitting high and low notes with a passionate delivery.
"Don't you see why that's one of my favorite songs?" Taylor said. "Wanda, I think I may call for that one (song) next year, too."
The Bloom High School color guard then presented the colors, and Ald. Vincent Zaranti (6th) led the crowd of about 150 in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Cheryl Anderson's daughter, Crystal Anderson, performed a gospel tune before singing an a cappella version of a Donny Hathaway/Michael Jackson medley, with the second half of the medley devoted to Jackson's "We Are the World."
State Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Olympia Fields), the event's guest speaker, talked about the distrust many people feel toward politicians as well as the need for a civic-minded society.
Hutchinson ended her speech by talking about meeting her Dad in heaven.
"When I go meet him, I don't want him to say, 'Well said,' I want him to say, 'Well done,' " Hutchinson said.
Later in the ceremony, church officials played a video honoring King as well as a bevy of local politicians. Footage of King delivering his famous "I have a dream" speech in front of the Washington Monument was combined with photographs of Chicago Heights Mayor Alex Lopez and other city officials attending city events.
Lopez described the photo montage as "awesome" and handed out the city's annual awards: The community service award to Jennifer Artis, business person of the year to Lenzi Harris, person of the year to Mike Petrouski and the lifetime achievement award to Claymon Rodgers, who died in November.
January 19, 2010
BY CASEY TONER
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