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.

Annual Deaf Tea September 17 in the Hall of Flags, at the Augusta State House

Awardees from Yarmouth, Westbrook, North Berwick, Bridgton will be recognized AUGUSTA — In celebration of Deaf culture, the heritage of American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf literature, art and folklore, Governor Paul R. LePage has issued a proclamation designating the week of Sept. 19 through 25, 2015, as Deaf Culture Week. “Deaf Culture Week and the annual awards recognize the important contributions members of this community make to Maine,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “I congratulate and thank all of the awardees for their achievements. Their work not only benefits people who are deaf or hard of hearing but also reminds us all of the many ways we can give back.” The Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened will hold its 24th Annual Award Ceremony and Tea on Sept. 17, 2015, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Hall of Flags at the State House. This year, the commission will present awards in six categories to individuals who have contributed to Deaf culture in Maine. Award recipients are: Clifton F. Rodgers Award ~ Lifetime Achievement Award — John Dunleavy, Rochester, NY Ginny Hewes Award ~ Advocate for the Needs of the Deaf Community Award — Julie A. Novack, North Berwick Special Commendation Award — Maine Deaf Senior Citizens, Westbrook Promoting ASL, Deaf Culture and Deaf People Award — Catherine J. Lushman, Yarmouth Outstanding Citizenship Award — Karla R. Madore, Westbrook Citizenship Youth Award — Taylor Gagnon, Bridgton Christine “Coco” Roschaert will give the keynote address. Coco was born Deaf with Usher Syndrome in Canada. She graduated from Gallaudet University in 2006 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies and now works as an international advocate for DeafBlind rights. She is also a motivational speaker on DeafBlind issues, and her talks include her personal life stories. She has made more than 200 presentations around the world. The Division of the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened, part of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) in the Department of Labor, works to bring about full access to employment, independence and community integration for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. “I encourage employers to diversify their workforce by including people with disabilities,” said the Governor. “The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services can facilitate that through vocational rehabilitation, training assistance and advice for employers.” For more information about hiring people with disabilities or identifying job training resources for people with disabilities, visit your local CareerCenter, call 1-855-ALL-HIRE (TTY users call Maine Relay 711) or visit http://employmentforme.org.