Scores honor M.L. King
Celebration draws politicians

By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Monday's sub-freezing temperatures and icy roads didn't seem to cool the enthusiasm of participants at Gallup's annual tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.

Although only about 60 community members braved the extremely cold weather to walk in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day March, more than 100 people gathered afterward in the Larry Brian Mitchell Recreation Center to attend the annual tribute program.

This year's event, which had the theme of "Remember, Celebrate, Act," was sponsored by the Gallup Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the City of Gallup. Former Gallup resident James B. Lewis, the newly elected New Mexico State Treasurer, was the featured guest speaker. Lewis, a 1966 graduate of Gallup High School, previously served as state treasurer from 1985-1991.

In addition to the community groups that usually attend members of the local black community, representatives of various churches and faith communities, social activists, youth groups, peace activists, and families of all ethnic backgrounds more than the usual number of politicians and would-be politicians were also in attendance.

Four mayoral candidates and a representative of a fifth candidate were allowed to address the crowd at the recreation center. Candidates Larry Winn and Mary Ann Armijo downplayed their political side and spoke more to the day's King tribute, while candidates Harry Mendoza and Ralph Richards used their time to aggressively pitch their political platforms. Anna Rondon, the only Native American mayoral candidate, was at Window Rock's MLK Day public forum, but she sent Michael Butler, the young city council candidate, to speak on behalf of her local "poor people's campaign."

Mona Frazier, the local NAACP president, apologized to other political candidates in attendance who had not made prior arrangements to speak at the program.

In her program comments, Frazier focused on the historic struggles of black Americans and the non-violent civil rights legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. that changed the United States for the betterment of all.

"It's not really an African-American day, but it's a day for all of us," she said.

"He was talking about all of us," agreed Lewis, who said King advocated on behalf of all people, not just blacks. King's efforts in the United States raised the civil rights consciousness of people around the world, he added.

Lewis, who was born in Roswell, N.M. at a time when Roswell was a highly segregated community, recounted many of the legal struggles African-Americans have faced throughout generations of U.S. history. He reminded the audience of those struggles and of the people who labored to obtain those legal victories.

"There's a lot of people that paid the supreme sacrifice," said Lewis. Many people today take those struggles and sacrifices for granted, he added, particularly the struggles surrounding voter rights.

Because of the impact political decisions have on the lives of citizens, Lewis encouraged audience members to take their responsibility as voters seriously and to examine the local candidates and issues in Gallup's upcoming city election carefully. He also said citizens need to hold elected officials responsible for their political actions.

Referring to President John F. Kennedy's famous remarks, Lewis asked the audience, "Have you asked what you can do for your community?" Lewis challenged his listeners not to "sit on the sidelines," but rather, he asked, "Are you going to make a difference?"

In addition to recognizing problems in society and working to solve them, Lewis said positive accomplishments and positive people need to be acknowledged and appreciated.

Lewis singled out two local "positives" sitting in the audience: the NAACP's Frazier for "providing the leadership sorely needed in this community," and Lewis' "favorite librarian," Octavia Fellin, which drew a standing ovation from the crowd.

In that vein, Frazier concluded the program by presenting six community awards to individuals, organizations, and businesses that have made positive contributions to the local community. She presented awards to the musicians of Rusty Strings and the Flat Tones, who perform at a couple of Martin Luther King Jr. tributes each year; Kim and Mike Troncoso who help support Gallup's youth basketball program; Frazier's employer, Safeway, which helps sponsor the MLK Tribute and other annual community events; CARE 66, the nonprofit organization that assists Gallup's homeless population; Central High School students, for collecting 900 pounds of food for the Community Pantry; and guest speaker James B. Lewis.

The tribute program ended in traditional musical fashion with songs by the youth choir of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church and Rusty Strings and the Flat Tones.