Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Centers on Education
By Robin Vinci | Editor at January 19, 2024 | 2:30 pm | Print
Blumenthal, Wyman, Esty Among Honored Speakers
The City’s Annual Commemoration of the Life of Martin Luther King Jr. held at Angelico’s Restaurant on Monday morning not only celebrated the life of the man, but talked about the future of the Country through education.
“There is still so much to be done and the results of last year’s election results prove that,” said Commissioner Jessica Angelo-Julien. “How do we prepare our youth of today for a career tomorrow? This is what we are addressing today.”
Superintendent of Schools Nancy Sarra was the keynote speaker.
“Our community, our families and our schools must work together to raise young men and women who will carry on our traditions and our legacy. This is certainly a hot topic across the nation in education today,” said Sarra. “When we ask how should we prepare our children for the workforce, who will they be and what skills should they possess, it really comes down to finding a balance between strong soft skills, high technical skills peppered with sharp critical thinking skills.”
Sarra said employers are hiring for attitude and trained for skills.
“Cultivating ambition and an eagerness to learn and to do well are the foundation for our solid future. This works begins the first day of pre-school,” said Sarra. “We are teaching the rules of success every day.”
Sarra said students need to have passion, value, be articulate, have communication skills, possess an expertise in something, have curiosity and resourcefulness.
Speaking of resourcefulness, Sarra said, “in New Britain, what we don’t have we come together and figure out a way to do.”
Three Special Guests from the State and National Level attended and spoke during the event.
“In this unsettled time we are living in with a lot of concern and anxiety, we have an opportunity and an obligation to come together for the good of our children. On this day we are being called to a higher purpose,” said Elizabeth Esty U.S. Representative of the 5th District. “Dr. King’s vision is as or more important than ever.”
Esty said everyone needs to remember what we are called out to do.
Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said it was great to be in New Britain.
“To me Martin Luther King Jr. means more than anything right now. It brings to mind the things we have to care about more than ever before,” said Wyman. “We have to be a leader who speaks out against injustice, prejudice and intolerance and not the citizen who watches from the window.”
Wyman said Dr. King’s legacy should be with everyone as they raise their children.
“It should be every day of the year that we remember what Martin Luther King Jr. did for this country,” Wyman said. “We have to fight hard to be sure we don’t forget his dream of our children and grandchildren.”
US Senator Richard Blumenthal also attended the event to honor Dr. King in the City.
Blumenthal said, “We need to continue the fight and battle as foot soldiers for justice.”
“We are going into a troubled time, A challenging time, but I am so proud to have served over the last 6 years with Barack Obama as President,” said Blumenthal “The arch of history is long but it bends towards justice. Justice overall is what we have to strive to achieve. We are still a work in progress as a nation.”
Various youth from the YWCA including seven year olds Adriana Mendez and Roberto Matere also spoke during the event about their future.
The event also included a wreath laying observance in front at the Martin Luther King Jr. Park. Gregory Sneed, Chief of Police at Central Connecticut State University Police Department ,spoke about equality.
“We have a lot of work to do, but it does not mean that we have not progressed,” Sneed said. “It does not mean we are not better off, because we are.”
Sneed said people need to do better and inspire our youth to be involved to do more.
“We need to be cognizant of the message we are sending our youth,” Sneed added.
Mayor Erin Stewart said Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an important remembrance for everyone.
“I am grateful as a nation and a City we sent time aside to honor and reflect on Dr. King’s works and actions and compassion,” said Mayor Erin Stewart. “He was a leader who shaped and continue to shape our nation. We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”
