TULANE TALK

January 13, 2012

Good Morning:

Monday begins a weeklong commemoration of the life, legacy and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Tulane, Dillard, Loyola and Xavier universities.

This annual “Week of Peace” in honor of Dr. King will include an interfaith service, a convocation, a talent show, a step competition and a Day of Service in which students from all four universities will volunteer at schools and nonprofits throughout the city.

Like most Americans of my generation, I remember exactly where I was when I heard the terrible news out of Memphis that Dr. King had been assassinated. I remember thinking that he had died so young with so much of his dream left unfulfilled. But now I am grateful for all that has been achieved since then in the continued march toward equality. We are no doubt a stronger, more just, more unified and wiser nation.

However, much work still remains to achieve the equality and justice for which Dr. King preached, marched, lived and died. In this spirit we must continue to address these issues, including ones related to the violence and crime in our city. In the weeks ahead you will hear much more about the specific steps we are taking, in concert with our city leaders, to address these pressing issues.

I hope to see many of you at next week’s numerous events honoring Dr. King.

Have a great weekend,