THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 12, 1997 TAG: 9701120108
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 66 lines
In what often seemed like a rousing, rollicking church revival, NAACP members paid tribute Saturday to slain civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at their 13th annual breakfast at Norfolk State University's Dozier Dining Hall.
King's 68th birthday, Jan. 15., will be commemorated next week. His memory was kept alive Saturday as NAACP members and community leaders sang his praises. Lt. Gov. Donald S. Beyer Jr. was the event's keynote speaker.
As a young man, Beyer said, he was moved by King's calls for nonviolence and justice. Yet unfortunately, the civil rights leader's quest for equal opportunity has been forgotten in today's society of ``racial polarization,'' Beyer said.
He pointed to the dearth of black political leaders and Supreme Court justices as examples. Beyer also said the public schools need improvements to prepare children for the future. Teachers need better pay, and children need to learn in classrooms instead of overcrowded trailers, he said.
``Our classrooms must model King's dream, character and discipline,'' Beyer said. ``Teachers need to be paid on the national average.''
Beyer also pushed for more economic opportunity for blacks. Although African Americans make up about 18 percent of the state's population, only 5 percent own businesses, said Beyer.
There were equal parts church sermon and political rally at Saturday's event.
Many of the guests clapped and swayed their hands back and forth as the men's chorus from Union Temple Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., sang gospel songs. Robert Owens, a youth council member from the Virginia Beach NAACP branch, pushed, in Rev. Jesse Jackson fashion, for the audience to remember the sacrifices of past civil rights leaders.
There also was a lot of glad-handing.
After Beyer's speech, Suffolk NAACP Vice President Geraldine Diggs said: ``We've listened to our next governor.'' Hundreds of red campaign bumper stickers supporting Beyer were distributed.
Beyer is considered the leading Democratic candidate for the governor's office this fall. Attorney General James S. Gilmore III is the leading Republican contender.
Beyer isn't the only one the NAACP is supporting.
Portsmouth Circuit Court Judge Johnny E. Morrison is hoping to get a judgeship appointment to Norfolk's federal court. Virginia State Conference NAACP President Paul C. Gillis said he has written a letter in Morrison's behalf to President Clinton.
Saturday's breakfast also recognized leaders in the Hampton Roads community.
Junius H. Williams, a division manager for Virginia Power, was honored as this year's NAACP Man of the Year.
Along with Williams, 35 members and organizations, including area churches, were recognized.
Some recipients included James W. Satterfield, vice president for student affairs at Norfolk State University; Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf; Portsmouth city councilman Bernard Griffin; Norfolk city councilman Paul Riddick; Daily Press columnist Jim Spencer; Secretary of the Commonwealth Betsy Beamer; Virginia Beach city councilwoman Louisa M. Strayhorn; Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Commissioner Jean Copeland; Norfolk attorney and state Board of Education member Peter G. Decker Jr.; and the Buds of Promise, a youth ministry at Suffolk's First Baptist Church Orlando. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Lt. Gov. Donald S. Beyer Jr. recalled the message of Martin Luther
King Jr. at Saturday's NAACP commemoration.