Sunday's Internet Edition, July 20, 2008.
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Under the theme of “Keeping The Dream Alive”, an ever-growing crowd was greeted by Lee County Judge Evan Gonzales. Lee County Juneteenth Association President Eric Davis recounted King’s life as an internationally famous civil rights leader. Giddings Mayor James Arndt read a proclamation acknowledging the day as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
In a compelling recitation, Pastor Fred D. Jones read King’s infamous speech, “I Have A Dream”. Jones serves the Giddings community as a member of the City Council. Pastor of the Bethel-St. Paul United Missionary Baptist Church in Giddings, Frank Garrett, Jr. was the afternoon’s keynote speaker, reiterating King’s principles of social justice and the responsibility each citizen has today in upholding those beliefs.
Jill Trier, Lee County Juneteenth Association Scholarship Coordinator, gave recognition to the Lee County Black elected officials. Those recognized included: Giddings City Council members Leslie Chandler, Jr. and Fred D. Jones; Giddings ISD School Board members Don Johnson and Darrel Sanders; Lexington City Mayor Robert Willrich, Sr.; Lexington City Council member Elvis Lewis; Lexington ISD School Board members Willie Taylor and Richard Washington; and, Dime Box ISD School Board members Opal Irving and Carolyn Jones. Recognition was presented to each for “performance in the highest tradition and in appreciation of their outstanding leadership and achievement in serving the people of Lee County”.
President Davis said, “We have an opportunity to challenge ourselves to exceed the expected and unexpected. We are learning from each other and we shall go forward with a wealth of knowledge. This celebration is possible because a dream was conceived, that one day we come together as one. We look forward to the future with great anticipation.”