Martin Luther King Day
On August 3, 1994, President Clinton signed the King Holiday and Service Act, designed to transform Martin Luther King Day into a day of service that reflects his life and teaching — bringing people together around the common focus of service to others and breaking down the social and economic barriers that divide our nation.
At the heart of Dr. King’s philosophy was the concept of service. He believed that a person’s worth should not be measured by his or her color, culture, or class but rather by his or her commitment to making a better life for all. He said a definition of a successful life must include service to others.
On January 14, 2002, Americans across the country will celebrate the King Holiday, honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King left us with a challenge: “Life’s persistent and most urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?'”
Students from Portland and outlying rural areas will gather to celebrate Dr. King, Jr. by participating in the following:
Doing direct service
Reflecting on service
Building community with students from other schools
Planning meaningful service projects for their school for the spring