Lockhart celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

A message of hope and togetherness spread warmth through the frigid air on Monday morning as dozens of Caldwell County residents gathered to celebrate the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Dr. King not only had a dream, but he implemented and lived that dream. If we come together and work in good faith, we can liv

e the dream,” Congressman Lloyd Doggett told the lively, but shivering crowd during a short and heartfelt address. Doggett joined civic leaders from Lockhart and Luling, clergy members, students and citizens in a joyful celebration of the life of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King.
Nearly 150 people braved Monday morning”s bitter cold and wind to join Councilmember Kenny Roland and City Manager Clovia English as they, along with 421st District Judge Todd Blomerth, Mayor Pro-Tem Frank Estrada, Lockhart Mayor Ray Sanders and Luling civic leader Jimmie Lee Spriggs, led the Second Annual MLK March from MLK Industrial Boulevard (off FM 1322 south of Bufkin Lane) to City Hall.
Before the march began, English delivered a rousing reading of King”s famed “I Have a Dream” speech.
It took just over 30 minutes for the group to make the 1.7-mile trek to City Hall.
“The people up front were hooking it,” Roland said. “It was really cold, and I think they were walking faster to keep warm!”
When they had completed their brisk morning walk, the group reconvened at the steps of Lockhart City Hall to share in nearly two hours of speeches, song and community geared toward furthering Dr. King”s dream of a color-blind America.
The youth were the focal point of the rally. When Sanders presented a proclamation on behalf of the City of Lockhart, Roland invited not only several local dignitaries, but all of the community”s children to the stage to accept the proclamation on behalf of the people of Caldwell County. Later, several children were invited back to the stage to perform songs, give speeches and explain what the legacy of Dr. King meant to them.
Throughout the event, which was a collaborative effort between the City of Lockhart, the Lockhart Progressive Club, District 1 Pride and several local businesses, Roland asked for suggestions to make future events even more successful.
Doggett, however, claimed that the event caught his attention during its first year.
“Last year, I picked up the local newspaper, and there was the community, celebrating Martin Luther King Day,” he said. “I decided then that I wanted to be a part of this celebration in the future. This community has come a long way in the last 30 years. You show a good example of Dr. King”s dream.”
Kathibliss@post-register.com