By PHILLIP LUCAS
Dr. Anthony Brooks ends his keynote speech celebrating the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the Henderson County Black History Committee’s program at Greater Norris Chapel Baptist Church in Henderson, Ky Sunday Jan. 19, 2014. (AP Photo/The Gleaner, Darrin Phegley)
MLK Celebration
People march down Washington Street towards Greater Norris Chapel Baptist Church during the Henderson County Black History Committee’s Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday in Henderson, Ky. Sunday Jan. 19, 2014. (AP Photo/The Gleaner, Darrin Phegley)
MLK Celebration
People stand and clap during the music portion of the Black History Committee’s celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday at Greater Norris Chapel Baptist Church in Henderson, Ky Sunday Jan. 19, 2014. (AP Photo/The Gleaner, Darrin Phegley)
Joe Biden, Al Sharpton
Vice President Joe Biden delivers the keynote address at the National Action Network’s (NAN) Annual King Day breakfast convened by the Rev. Al Sharpton, right, in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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ATLANTA (AP) — Hundreds of people filled Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday to remember and reflect on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., who preached at the church.
The service featured prayers, songs, music and speakers. It’s one of the many events across the country honoring King, including parades, marches and service projects.
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal said there were not many states that can boast a native son that merits a national holiday, but added: “we Georgians can.”
Deal said this year he would work with state legislators to find an appropriate way to honor King at the Georgia Capitol, which drew a standing ovation from the audience. He did not give any specifics.
“I think that more than just saying kind thoughts about him we ought to take action ourselves,” said Deal, a Republican. “That’s how we embed truth into our words. I think it’s time for Georgia’s leaders to follow in Dr. King’s footsteps and take action, too.”
Deal also touched on criminal justice reforms his administration has tried to make, including drug and mental health courts and community-based services to keep non-violent criminals and young people out of prison.
In Ann Arbor, Mich., activist and entertainer Harry Belafonte planned to deliver the keynote address for the 28th annual Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium at the University of Michigan’s Hill Auditorium.
In Memphis, Tenn., where King was assassinated, an audio recording of an interview with King was played at the National Civil Rights Museum. The recording sheds new light on a phone call President John F. Kennedy made to King’s wife more than 50 years ago.
Historians generally agree Kennedy’s phone call to Coretta Scott King expressing concern over her husband’s arrest in October 1960 — and Robert Kennedy’s work behind the scenes to get King released — helped JFK win the White House.
The reel-to-reel audiotape was discovered by a man cleaning out his father’s attic. The father, an insurance salesman, had interviewed King for a book he was writing, but never completed it and stored the recording with other interviews he’d done.
King was born Jan. 15, 1929, and the federal holiday is the third Monday in January.
