Alabama State University News February 19, 2014 Sewell Reflects on MLK's 'Dream' at Bridge Builders Breakfast U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL, 7th District) delivered an impassioned, informative speech during Alabama State University's Bridge Builders Breakfast on Wednesday, Feb. 19, serving up a challenge to reflect and build upon the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream. "Today, I would like to challenge all of us to reflect on what we are doing to continue the legacy, to further the dream, to advance equality and justice for all," Sewell said. "It is not enough to simply honor Dr. King once a year or have a month of thought-provoking achievements for blacks in Black History Month. Each of us must look forward and look within ourselves and ask, 'How are we paying it forward?'" Sewell, the first African-American woman from Alabama to be elected to Congress, said she believes the "dream" still lives, but there is much work to do. "When public schools that are delegated to minorities are underfunded and unequipped, we still have much work to do," Sewell said. "When gun violence comes to communities like Montgomery and the escalation of black-on-black crime demonstrates a disregard for human dignity, we still have much work to do. When states like Alabama can impose voter I.D. laws as modern-day barriers to voting, we still have much work to do. I submit to all of you that we still have much work to do." Sewell's address drew several rounds of applause from the capacity crowd attending Wednesday's breakfast at downtown Montgomery's RSA Activity Center. The event, sponsored by ASU's Center for Leadership and Public Policy, has become a popular gathering for local business and community members to share a morning meal and to hear inspiring, thought-provoking dialogue on a number of issues impacting the River Region. Duncan Kirkwood, Alabama State Director for the Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO), said Sewell's message was powerful. "I hope her message resonated with everyone here," said Kirkwood, who is an ASU alumnus and former SGA president ('07-'08). "Everybody who is anyone was here today, and this is the audience that needed to receive that message. Hopefully ,we can internalize it and implement it. She talked about how education is the foundation, the key, and it can change kids' lives, and it changed her life. I'm really glad I attended this event, and I look forward to the next one." Sewell took time during her speech to welcome back home new ASU President Gwendolyn E. Boyd, who is both a Montgomery native and an ASU alumna. Sewell said she is excited that Boyd is ASU's first female president, and that Boyd has an important job preserving and protecting the University's rich legacy. "I will have you know that while I graduated from Princeton, I would not have had a chance to do that if my mom and dad had not received their degrees from ASU," she said. "My ties to the University run deep. I want to say to Dr. Boyd, from one female trailblazer to another, I congratulate you and am thrilled with all you will have in store during your tenure." SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.