NOMINEE: Martin Luther King Jr.
NOMINATED BY: The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, founder and
president, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition
Confronting the issues of slavery and
race has been fundamental in America's development. A successful
outcome was achieved only through dedication and sacrifice. The
first stage was the abolition of slavery, the source of great
shame. The next step was an end to legal segregation, and then
the guarantee to all Americans of the right to vote. The final
stage was equal access to capital for everyone. Dr. King led the
20th century drive to transform American culture. He fought to
end segregation by changing the law. If Dr. King had not
succeeded and Congress had not passed the 1965 Voting Rights
Act, we would not have the multiracial, multicultural society we
have today. Dr. King dispelled the notion that just because you
were black, you could not lead. The healer, the builder of
bridges, the one who changed the laws was Dr. King. As a leader
he had no peer.
--The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, founder and
president, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition
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