Today I reflect upon two of the most memorable moments in my life to date, the opportunity to meet Dr. King's two oldest children on separate occasions. Early in 2000, as a luncheon guest of the Portland Eucumenical community, I had an opportunity to meet Dr. King's oldest daughter Yolanda Deise King, sadly now deceased (November 1955-May 2007). As she sat at the head of a table at a restaurant in Salem, having spoken earlier at an event at the State Capitol, I remember sitting immediately to her left, listening to her story about trying out for a role in a movie. She was so beautiful and so funny, and so gracious, a young woman who had definitely inherited her Dad's gift of oration. I recall Yolanda telling us that things didn't go so well when she tried out for the role, but that she knew the director and got the part anyway. As best I remember, the movie was about Medger and Myrlie Evers. Obviously, we asked her about her Mother and Father and she lovingly told us, "Daddy was such a prankster when he was home-chasing the kids all over the house." I will never forget meeting Dr. King's most wonderful "first daughter." I've been thinking about her most of the morning, in between my tears. While looking at my photo with Yolanda, it is a moment I will cherish and share with my children for the duration of my life.

And, yet again, I was blessed to meet Dr. King's oldest son, Martin Luther King III, on the occasion of personally inviting him to Portland to serve as keynote speaker for the annual conference of the Black Networking Association of Oregon (BNA), for which I served as president at that time. Although it's been more than a decade, I remember the details like yesterday. It began with picking up Martin III and his devoted assistant at the Portland airport, along with a security detail from the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office. While I didn't know what Martin III's entourage would be like in size, I pretty much expected him to ride with the security detail provided by Clackamas County. Much to my surprise, however, he opted to ride in my 4Runner with me and one of our BNA officers, with law enforcement close behind. As his driver, I remember being so nervous, with the rain coming down heavily, I forgot to turn on my defogger! When Martin asked me if there was anything wrong with my windshield wipers, that he couldn't see outside, all four of us had a terrific laugh. I was then able to relax a little knowing that I had the life of the son of the larger than life icon, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., riding in my front seat! And the evening's dinner just got better and even funnier from that point forward. In the tradition of his Dad, we heard a lot of good jokes throughout the evening. So much in the image of his big sister Yolanda, Martin III shared many amazing childhood memories of his world revered Father. As well, he told us to just call him "Marty." But for the life of me, somehow I just kept saying Martin. I certainly hope to see Marty III again real soon, now married with a beautiful wife and lovely young daughter named for her late Aunt Yolanda.

These are some of my brief humble memories. I genuinely admire those of my parent's generation who were fortunate enough to meet Dr. King himself. I HONOR HIM TODAY AND ALWAYS. I cherish the memory of his life and legacy and all of his loving family. I hope you enjoy my photos with Yolanda and Martin III, along with one of my favorite, unforgettable pics of Dr. and Mrs. King with their two oldest children. My tears have dried up the more I write and remember with joy and thankfulness. Ready to face the day. Ready to face the world with Dr. King's love and inspiration in my heart.

Together in unity of purpose.

Rosa Colquitt, PhD

State Party Chair