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Corker participates in Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Memphis
January 17, 2011


MEMPHIS, TN -- U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., today participated in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Sports Legacy Symposium at the FedEx Forum. The symposium featured Willie Mays, Willis Reed and Lenny Wilkens, recipients of the Sixth Annual National Civil Rights Sports Legacy Award which pays tribute to athletes who have made significant contributions to civil and human rights.

Corker spoke briefly about King's bold vision.

"One of the people who has had a great impact on my life is a man named Jim Rouse," said Corker. "His work to give low-income citizens the opportunity for decent and affordable housing has improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across our country. I met Jim in the 1980s, and he encouraged me to embrace a bold vision. He said, 'Bob, if you have a bold vision, even if you only accomplish 80 percent of it, you've still accomplished far more than if your goals were small. A bold vision builds momentum and energy.'

"Martin Luther King had a tremendous vision of what our country could be. He also had the courage to stand up and pursue it. He had a bold vision – a dream he called it – of human equality. He shared his dream with the rest of us and made sacrifices so that his children and grandchildren would live in a better country than the one he inherited.

"Tragically, his life was cut short. But because he had a bold vision and energy behind it, others picked up his cause and today we are a far better nation as a result.

"To truly honor his legacy we must dedicate ourselves to our own bold visions, to serving one another, to improving our communities, and to leaving behind a better country for future generations."

The symposium is part of the Ninth Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration sponsored by the Memphis Grizzlies.

   


























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