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Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani-joined by Deputy Mayor Rudy Washington and Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik-today hosted a Prayer Breakfast at Gracie Mansion honoring the life and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Offering prayers at the Breakfast were Bishop Roderick Caesar of the Bethel Gospel Tabernacle Church in Queens; the Reverend Gregory McCants of the New York Boys Choir; Imam Izak-el Mu'eed Pasha of Masjid Malcolm Shabazz in Manhattan; and Rabbi Shea Hecht of the National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education.
The Mayor also presented this year's Proclamation for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day to Bishop Caesar, in honor of religious ministry and community activism.
"As we find ourselves beginning a new millennium, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s message of hope, non--violence and tolerance speaks to us, perhaps more loudly than ever," the Mayor said. "New York's diversity is at the core of the vibrancy and energy that identify us as a City. It is my hope for all New Yorkers that the 21st Century proves to be the time when we realize Dr. King's dream of freedom and equality and we and our children live in peace and unity."
An advocate of bringing about social change through non--violent protest, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta on January 15, 1929. He devoted his life in a quest for civil rights and end of segregation. Dr. King's life came to a violent and tragic end when he was assassinated on April 4, 1968.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday is observed as a national and New York City holiday this year on Monday, January 15th.