19th Annual King Tribute

The 19th Annual UAW Local 2195 Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was held on Sunday, January 19, 2003 at Leon Sheffield Elementary School in Decatur, Alabama. The Local 2195 Scholarship Committee plays host to this annual event, which features special speakers and music designed to remember the memory of Dr. King. In addition, there are drawings for scholarships at each tribute. Dr. King realized the importance of education, and stressed the vital role it plays in man’s ability to achieve upward mobility.

Local 2195 and Delphi Corporation partner to sponsor the program and scholarships. This year there were five $1000 scholarships given away.

UAW Local 2195 Scholarship Committee Chair Kenneth Davis welcomed the crowd and introduced the emcees for the program. Pastor and Mrs. Arthur Warrior, Pastor of Progressive Outreach Ministries in Decatur. Pastor Warrior is also a Local 2195 Retiree Chapter member and a retiree of the Alabama Site. Jurada Fuqua, Youth Pastor for Westside M.B. Church had an opening prayer and scripture reading. Music selections were by the Westside M.B. Church Choir.

“I am glad to be here today to recognize Dr. King,” stated Local 2195 President Terry Scruggs. “Dr. King was a preacher first of all, his faith led him to do the will of God. It is our faith that unites us and binds us together. We want to thank the Scholarship Committee for their hard work in putting this tribute together. Local 2195 has continued this tradition for the past 19 years, and we will continue to honor Dr. King and his accomplishments.”

Alabama Site Manager John Stanley offered greetings from Delphi. “We are proud to be a part of this celebration. Dr. King was a tireless advocate for the rights of others and we recognize his contributions. He also was a proponent for education and earned his PHD from Boston University. It is very fitting that we issue scholarships at this tribute, and Delphi is proud to be a part of this,” John Stanley stated.

Local 2195 Shop Chairman Howard Greene issued greetings to the crowd as well. “Dr. King and labor had a strong relationship. UAW President Walter Reuther joined Dr. King in marching for Civil Rights on many occasions. It is also important to remember that Dr. King was in Memphis in support of striking sanitation workers when he was killed. Dr. King had a dream, and each of us should keep that dream alive in ourselves.”

The Westside M.B. Church Drill Team performed for the audience as well. This group quoted scripture while performing precise movements.

The keynote speaker was Pastor George A. Smith of the Westside M.B. Church of Decatur, Alabama. He was introduced by Scholarship Committee member Rodney Woodall. “Dr. King was a man of peace and justice,” Pastor Smith stated. “He lived a life dedicated to uplifting humanity. We must each carry on the dream that Dr. King had, because when you cease to dream, you cease to exist. Dr. King worked not only for the black race, but for all races. Our dreams and aspirations make us better people. We all should have a dream of unity, for when we are divided then we are easily conquered. Dr. King fought for justice, but used peace as his weapon.”

The Scholarship Committee raffled off two gift certificates to help raise additional money for scholarships. Cynthia Gentry of Dept. 66 Plant 21 and Mike Myers, Plant 23 UAW Health and Safety Representative were the lucky winners.

At the conclusion of the tributes, five names were drawn for $1000 scholarships to be awarded. The winners were, Cheryl Merchant, Andreia Maclin, Adam Terry, Joel Myers and Jarvis Lane.
The program ended with Pastor Warrior leading the crowd in a verse of “We Shall Over Come.” The 2003 Dr. King Tribute continued a proud tradition that will mark its 20th anniversary in 2004.