Jan. 20--MT. VERNON -- On the eve of a historical presidential inauguration, members of the Jefferson County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People celebrated and honored the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"We are here today because of the many somebodies who have sacrificed for us," keynote speaker Dr. Jesse Thompson said. "We stand on the shoulders of others whom we clearly owe a debt of gratitude."

Thompson, the assistant dean of academic programs for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign reminded those at the 24th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration that in 1964 before the Voting Rights Act was passed, only 40 percent of African Americans nationwide could qualify to vote, and in Mississippi and Alabama, only 6 percent of the African Americans could qualify to register to vote.

"When the polls were opened in November, no citizen over the age of 18 could be denied the right to vote due to their race, literacy or income," Thompson said. "It took over 100 years before African Americans could come to the polls as we do today and participate in democracy as we do today."

The theme of Monday's celebration was Power, Justice, Freedom, and the Vote. The celebration was held in memory of Mrs. Laura Cheatham, who passed away last Monday at the age of 95.

The master of ceremonies of the event, Rolland Mays, reminded those present they were celebrating a man whose hopes and visions are coming to pass, quoting from King's famous "I Have A Dream" speech.

"Part of his dream will be a reality when Barack Obama is sworn in tomorrow," Mays said. "Because of this day, many other (dreams) will be made possible.

Mt. Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley echoed May's sentiments saying, "Dreams really do come true."

"Last year, city councilwoman Shirilyn Holt in speaking to this group emphasized the need to share with our children," Chesley said. "She said, 'We need to teach them history -- our history because our history is American history.' That is so very true today."

Local residents were honored by the NAACP, with Freedom Fund Awards being presented to Iris Rudd and outgoing NAACP president James Malone.

Rudd, who is married to Elder Allen E. Rudd Sr., the pastor of Lively Stone Apostolic Church, have been serving in the ministry together for 27 years, with Elder Rudd serving as a pastor for seven years. Iris Rudd has been an employee of AmerenIP for more than 20 years and serves on several community boards.