Governor McCrory Proclaims January 20 "Martin Luther King Jr. Day" in North Carolina | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    Raleigh, NC     Governor Pat McCrory has proclaimed Monday, January 20 "Martin Luther King Jr. Day" in North Carolina, urging citizens to honor Dr. King's legacy through acts of service in their community that promote social justice and dignity for all.

    Governor McCrory spoke at the State Employees' Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration today.

    "When Dr. King called for the day when his children would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character, he issued two challenges," said Governor McCrory. "First, that we, as a society, end racial prejudice. The other, more personal, is that we be judged by the content of our individual character, a theme that we celebrate today."

    The event included the announcement of this year's winner of the John R. Larkins award. Named after a former state employee and pioneering race relations advocate, the award is one of the highest honors in the state.

    This year's recipient is Mary B. Farrar, claims investigator in the Department of Public Safety's Office of Victim Services in the Victims Compensation Services Section.

    Members of the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission selected Farrar. The commission works to encourage appropriate ceremonies and activities throughout North Carolina relating to the observance of the legal holiday honoring Dr. King's birthday. It also works to promote an awareness and appreciation of the life and work of Dr. King. Clarence Henderson, Shakeal Moore and Warren Turner have been appointed to the commission.

    Martin Luther King Jr. Commission

   •  Clarence Henderson (Guilford County) - Henderson is a motivational speaker promoting education, encouraging others to understand the U.S. Constitution and motivating and inspiring others to design their futures through content of character. He is a committee member of J.B. Dudley Hall of Fame, Hall of Distinction and served in the U.S. Army from 1966-1968. Henderson received a B.S. in business administration from North Carolina A&T University. He will serve as chairman of the board.

   •  Shakeal Moore (Nash County) - Moore is a student at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Previously, he studied at Edgecombe Early College High School. He served as the county director of the Frederick Douglass Foundation of Edgecombe County. He has been helping with similar organizations since the 5th grade. He will serve as an at-large member on this board.

   •  Warren Turner (Mecklenburg County) - Turner works for the North Carolina Department of Corrections as a judicial services coordinator in Gaston County. He received a bachelor's degree in political science from Fayetteville State University. Turner was inducted into the Fayetteville State University Football Hall of Fame in 2005. He will serve as an at-large member on this board.

    Read a copy of the proclamation here.


    Contact: Crystal Feldman
       govpress@nc.gov