Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s contributions to our history during his short life helped us to understand that each of us have within us, the power effect change and have a lasting and profound impact on the lives of our fellow man. Dr. King spent his life working for social justice and freedom for oppressed people in America. He fought in the hopes that someday he would see his life's work come to fruition where Americans lived in harmony regardless of the color of their skins. His struggle came to an abrupt end on April 4, 1968, when he was assasinated as he stood on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.

During his lifetime, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave speeches and sermons that today still uplift people and inspire many to do

good for others who otherwise cannot help themselves. These are the people who will be honored at the Annual Banquet. They have given selflessly so that sick, homebound, and frail people in Boston can live independent lives and remain out of institutions. It is because of them many Boston residents are able to live at home in their familiar surroundings in dignity.

As we honor the 2009 award recipients, we are reminded through his many conversations, speeches, and sermons, of the legacy handed down by Dr. King.

"If you want to be important—wonderful. If you want to be recognized—wonderful. If you want to be great—wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. (Amen) That's a new definition of greatness. And this morning, the thing that I like about it: by giving that definition of greatness, it means that everybody can be great, (Everybody) because everybody can serve".

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy".

"Now, I say to you today my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: - 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'"

"Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see".

"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death".

"Man is man because he is free to operate within the framework of his destiny. He is free to deliberate, to make decisions, and to choose between alternatives. He is distinguished from animals by his freedom to do evil or to do good and to walk the high road of beauty or tread the low road of ugly degeneracy".

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter".

"The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood".

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere".