Marylanders might want to check out the new Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Maryland, the second state to recognize King’s birthday, has an undeniably unique connection to the conception and creation of the memorial dedicated to the civil rights legend.

In January 1984, George Sealey and four other members of Dr. King’s Baltimore-based fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, met in Silver Spring to discuss Sealey’s idea of a national memorial to the civil rights leader and fellow Alpha. Their proposal for a memorial was later adopted as a resolution by the fraternity’s board of directors.

The push for the memorial then went through a long saga of legislation and regulatory approval, including, in 1996, congressional legislation proposing the establishment of the memorial in Washington and, subsequently, joint resolutions in both houses of Congress.

Memorials help us appreciate the struggle of those who paved the way for where we stand today and inspire us to continue the fight. In the case of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial, the decades-long history of its completion is itself inspiring, and Maryland has a special place in that story. Make a point to stop by the memorial when you have time.

***

Other select events of interest to young lawyers this month in Maryland and Washington include:

Equal Justice Associates Learning Luncheon

Paul Mark Sandler presents “The 12 Secrets of Persuasive Argument”

When: Sept. 7, 12 p.m to 1 p.m.

Where: Legal Aid Bureau Inc., 500 E. Lexington St., Baltimore

RSVP: aallen@mdlab.org

Equal Justice Associates Cocktail Party

Mingle with Court of Appeals Chief Judge Robert M. Bell and Baltimore City Circuit Court Judges Audrey J.S. Carrion Judge Pamela J. White

When: Sept. 7, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Location: Rosenberg Martin Greenberg LLP, 25 S. Charles St, Baltimore

RSVP: aallen@mdlab.org

Meals on Wheels, for Pets

The MSBA’s Young Lawyers Section is seeking volunteers to spend a morning assisting with grounds work and helping distribute pet food for the Meals on Wheels program, which provides pet food for the Maryland SPCA.

When: Sept. 10, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Maryland SPCA, 3300 Falls Road, Baltimore

RSVP: Michael W. Siri or Gwen Tate

Fifth Annual Constitutional Commentary Award Presentation and Discussion with the Authors

The Constitution Project, the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project, and Georgetown University Law Center recognize distinguished authors Jim and Nancy Petro and Brandon Garrett for their respective books, False Justice: Eight Myths that Convict the Innocent and Convicting the Innocent: Where Criminal Prosecutions Go Wrong.

When: Sept. 15, 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Location: Georgetown University Law Center, Gewirz Student Center, 12th Floor, 120 F Street N.W. Washington, D.C.

RSVP: rsvp@constitutionproject.org or 202-580-6924

The Bar Association of Baltimore City Kick-Off & Networking Event

Bring your business cards and come out and mingle! Appetizers will be served and specials on drinks.

When: Sept. 20, 5:30 p.m.

Location: Mex Tequila Bar, 26 Market Place, Baltimore (Free parking at Pier V Garage, 711 E. Pratt St.)

RSVP: mailto:ksanzone@baltimorebar.org

Congressional Black Caucus 41st Annual Legislative Conference

When: Sept. 21 to Sept. 24

Where: Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

RSVP: Registration for ALC is open now.

Powered by Bookmarkify™