Governor LePage Honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

01/15/2016 03:56 PM EST

 AUGUSTA - Governor Paul R. LePage will mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day by attending the 25th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Breakfast in Waterville on Monday, Jan. 18. Additionally, Governor LePage has signed a proclamation declaring Monday as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.

"On this day our state and nation remembers the life and work of a man who dedicated his life to ensure civil rights for all Americans," Governor LePage said. "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was committed to advancing equality, social justice and opportunity for all, and his teachings can continue to guide and inspire us in addressing the challenges of today."

"As we remember Dr. King, we are reminded of the many opportunities we have as Americans to give back to our communities on this holiday and make an ongoing commitment to service throughout the year." This is the 25th year of the event, which is sponsored by the Waterville Rotary Club and Spectrum Generations. Governor LePage, who is a Rotarian, has attended the annual Waterville event for many years.

The Pleasant Street Methodist Church Choir and George Mitchell School students will perform music at the celebration. Allecia Reid, PH. D. William and Margaret Montgoris Assistant Professor of Psychology, Colby College, will be the guest speaker. Reid received her Ph.D. in psychology from Arizona State University. She held postdoctoral research positions at Yale University and Brown University before coming to Colby College in 2013. Dr. Reid lives in Oakland, Maine with her husband and two children.

Proclamation language is as follows:

WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. devoted his life to advancing equality, social justice and opportunity for all, and challenged all Americans to participate in the never-ending work of building a more perfect union; and

WHEREAS, Dr. King's teachings can continue to guide and inspire us in addressing challenges in our communities; and

WHEREAS, the King Holiday and Service Act, enacted in 1994, designated the King Holiday as a national day of volunteer service and charged the Corporation for National and Community Services with leading the effort that has inspired millions of Americans to serve their neighbors and communities on the King Holiday; and

WHEREAS, serving on the King Holiday is an appropriate way to honor Dr. King, meet local and national needs, bring our citizens together, and strengthen our communities and nation; and

WHEREAS, the King Day of Service is the only federal holiday commemorated as a national day of service, and offers an opportunity for Americans to give back to their communities on the holiday and make an ongoing commitment to service throughout the year; and

WHEREAS, King Day of Service projects are being organized by a wide range of non-profits in the State of Maine.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, PAUL R. LEPAGE, Governor of the State of Maine, proclaim January 18, 2016, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday as The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

throughout the State of Maine, and call upon the people of Maine to pay tribute to the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through participation in community service projects on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and throughout the year.