Revitalizing Our Community (ROC) held its 11th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Monday morning at the Cecil Holman Park basketball courts, with hundreds in attendance.
The keynote address was given by Pastor Eric Jordan, who recently moved to Brownwood and is the minister of the A Breath of Praise Church. Jordan told the crowd: “Today marks the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. He was a great American. In those times when he stood before the people to proclaim his message, I want you to know he is a great American in whose immense shadow we still stand today. And this momentous day of celebration stands as a great beacon of light and hope, not just for the tens of millions of people of color, but as Dr. King himself once said ‘For the Negroes who have been seared in the flames of withering injustice.’ His stand, his belief in unity and civil rights changed the course of this nation and forced the world to examine themselves of their own bias and bigotry. And though Dr. King fought for the Negro, more importantly he fought for all nations, creeds, races, and cultures who are unjustly treated.”
The worship team from Calvary Brownwood sang multiple songs while Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes shared remarks, and informed those in attendance of the City’s plans to update the Bennie Houston Recreation Center in the future.
Mayor Stephen Haynes also spoke about Councilman Draco Miller, who was unable to attend the event because of illness. “I know we are here today to honor Dr. King. But one of his legacies was that he built up courage in future men to be leaders in communities all across America. And so today in his honor I want to talk about, and recognize, a man who has made a lasting and substantial impact on the City of Brownwood. As you look behind you this morning and you see the park that is behind us and new playground equipment and a new pavilion, you will know that Councilman Draco Miller had a substantial impact on our community. And at every turn since he has been on the Council he has fought valiantly for improvements in our city and particularly improvements to the very area where we stand today. And he has made sure that this park and this place and this part of our community got the attention it deserved. I am very proud to look behind me and see the improvements that have been made to this park.”
Draco Miller, Jr. – son of Brownwood Council Member Draco Miller – also was in attendance and thanked the community for their continued support and prayers and shared the news of several recent positive developments in his father’s battle with cancer.
Sareta Delgado provided the welcome for the event, Minister David Lang led those in attendance in the invocation, the Mighty Maroon Band from Brownwood High School played the Star Spangled Banner, and Pastor Kirk was joined by all ministers in attendance as they closed the event by singing “Amazing Grace” and offering the benediction.
