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Date: January 13, 1995
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  HHS Press Office (202) 690-6343

MLK Celebration Will Feature Marian Wright Edelman

Children's advocate Marian Wright Edelman will be the keynote speaker at the annual ceremony honoring the life of Martin Luther King Jr. The ceremony, "Every American Can Make A Difference," will be held at 10 a.m., Jan. 19, in the Great Hall of the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Ave. S.W.

"Dr. King's philosophy was that every American can serve others, and that by serving, we can achieve our own personal fulfillment," said HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala.

"This year, it is our hope that the MLK holiday can become an occasion for all Americans to think about the ways they can serve others--and to take action. No one could illustrate this theme better than Marian Wright Edelman, so I'm happy that she will be our keynote speaker."

Ms. Edelman is president and founder of the Children's Defense Fund.

Also speaking at the celebration will be Cassandra Pulley, deputy administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration; Walter D. Broadnax, HHS deputy secretary; Janna Paschal, a student from Boston, Mass., representing the Department of Education; Ms. Margaret Chan of the Federal Emergency Management Agency; Kenny May of the U.S. Information Agency; Kenneth Apfel, HHS assistant secretary for management and budget; and Mrs. Iris Valentin of SBA. The Largo Senior High School Choir will perform musical selections.

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