Date:
1/10/2003
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 505.562.2253
PORTALES – Eastern New Mexico University will be closed on Monday, Jan. 20 for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.
The City of Portales has scheduled the 14th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday program for Saturday, Jan. 18, and Monday, Jan. 20. The theme is "A Celebration of America's Cultural Diversity."
The celebration will get underway with a parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, beginning at South Ave. O and proceeding down Highway 70 to Abilene, then turning right to the Memorial Building.
A program will follow at the Memorial Building, including a proclamation by Mayor Orlando Ortega, guest speakers, a tribute to local band leader and community contributor Kevin Gardels, and a talent show. The mistress of ceremonies will be Veda Urioste.
Activities on Monday, Jan. 20, will begin at 10 a.m. with the singing of "America the Beautiful" by former Eastern New Mexico University All-American volleyball and basketball player Jennifer (Goble) Poyer, followed by the Portales High School Choir, Dr. King's "I Have a Dream Speech" by ENMU student Charlie Reader, recognition of Roosevelt County American Legion and VFW representatives by Commander Joe Blair, music by Maria Gladys Montano, and the presentation of float, art and talent show awards by Oscar Robinson, director of Personnel at ENMU. The master of ceremonies will be ENMU head football coach Harold "Bud" Elliott.
First, second and third prizes will be given for a number of different grade levels, and to the public, in an art contest, as well as the talent show. Prizes will also be given for the best floats in the parade. Anyone may participate in the parade, whether entering a float or not.
Portales' MLK activities are sponsored by the state Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, the City of Portales' Cultural Affairs Committee, ENMU's Office of Multicultural Affairs, Portales' Public Works Department, the Portales Police Department, and the Lodger's Tax Committee.
For more information, call Veda Urioste at City Hall at 505.356.6662.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is arrested by Montgomery, Ala., police for "loitering" in a business that refused to serve African-Americans in this 1958 photo from Life magazine. (photo by Charles Moore/Black Star)