Congresswoman Maxine Waters headlines King Celebration

COLUMBUS – California congresswoman Maxine Waters, D-Calif., one of the most prominent women in American politics today, will be the featured speaker Thursday, Jan. 16, at The Ohio State University’s 31st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. holiday celebration.

Themed “Celebrating the Legacy,” the program will be held from 7-9 p.m. at the Ohio Union Ballroom, 1739 N. High St. The event is sponsored by the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center and is free and open to the public.

A member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Waters has gained a reputation as a fearless and outspoken advocate for women, children, minorities and the poor. She was elected in November 2000 to her sixth term in the U.S. House of Representatives with an overwhelming 87 percent of the vote in California’s 35th District, which includes portions of south central Los Angeles, Gardena, Hawthorne and Inglewood.

Chairwoman of the 39-member Congressional Black Caucus from 1997 to 1998, Rep. Waters has held the influential leadership position of Chief Deputy Whip of the Democratic Party since the 106th Congress.

Waters’ appearance is one of the many Ohio State activities leading up to the official Jan. 20 holiday observation. Additional events include:

Jan. 14
• President and Provost’s Diversity Lecture Series, 9 a.m., Ohio Union, Conference Theatre.
Patti Wilson Byars, author of “Separate Fountains”, a young adult novel exploring bigotry.

• Winter Involvement Fair, 5-8 p.m., Ohio Union, Second Floor.
Opportunities for involvement will be shared by nearly 100 Ohio State campus organizations and departments.

Jan. 15
• Diversity Lecture Series, 10 a.m., Ohio Union, Conference Theatre.
Mervyn Warren, expert researcher on the life, preaching and influence of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

• Stress Recess, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Ohio Union, East Ballroom.
Commemorate the holiday by making a dream catcher.

Jan. 20
• Project Community MLK Day of Service, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Ohio Union.
Volunteers will visit area community and senior citizen centers to honor the spirit of Dr. King.

• Iota Phi Theta Fraternity’s MLK March, 3:30 p.m., Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave. (Center opens at 2 p.m. for banner making)
Participants will march downtown, joining the city’s official celebration at Veteran’s Memorial.