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News from PRINCETON UNIVERSITY For immediate release: Nov. 29, 2001 Contact: Marilyn Marks, 609-258-5748, mmarks@princeton.edu Media advisory: N.J. secretary of state to speak at Princeton MLK Day celebrationEvent includes essay, poster contests Who: N.J. Secretary of State DeForest B. Soaries Jr. What: Princeton University's annual tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. In addition to Soaries' address, the event includes award presentations to winners of Princeton's essay and poster contests for students in grades four through 12. When: Monday, Jan. 21, 2002, at a time to be announced. Where: Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall on
the Princeton University campus. DeForest B. Soaries Jr. was sworn in as New Jersey's secretary of state on Jan. 12, 1999 and leads a department devoted to preserving and promoting the story of New Jersey through the state's arts, history and culture. A well-known advocate for at-risk youth, Soaries established the state's Center for Youth Policy and Programs and launched a program called V-Free, a statewide effort designed to prevent incidents of youth violence, vandalism and victimization in New Jersey's schools and communities. Soaries, an ordained minister, serves as senior pastor of the 6,000-member First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset. A young people's choir from that congregation will perform at the Princeton celebration. At the invitation of Coretta Scott King, Soaries gave the keynote address at the official Year 2000 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commemorative Service in Atlanta, Ga. Prior to his state service, he was pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Trenton and worked for the Urban League in Newark and Operation PUSH in Chicago, Ill. As in previous years, Princeton's tribute will include award presentations to winners of essay and poster contests for middle- and high-school students. Students in grades seven through 12 have been asked to prepare a letter to Gov.-elect Jim McGreevey, advising him what to say and do at this time of heightened anxiety to increase understanding and improve relations among people of all races in New Jersey, and to help our state achieve King's goals. Students in grades four through six have been asked to prepare posters that could hang in the office of the new governor, reminding him of the importance of increased understanding and respect. Last year, essays were submitted by 419 students from 20 schools. Posters were received from 338 students in 20 schools. Students and teachers who would like information on the
essay and poster contests should visit <http://www.princeton.edu/pr/mlk/>. |