By Michael Motes

“The King 50th: You Can Fulfill the Dream” has been chosen as the overall theme to mark the nearly week-long series of events to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the birth of late civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Among the top participants in the numerous activities will be President Jimmy Carter, Senator Edward Kennedy, United Nations Secretary General Kurt Waldheim and Ambassador Andrew Young. A “first” will be the local meeting of a United Nations’ committee.

According to Mrs. Coretta Scott King, the observance “will focus attention on establishing January 15 as a federal holiday.”

“The time has come for us to demand that Congress follow the lead of 13 states which have already declared the 15th of January as a public holiday,” Mrs. King said. “Those coming to Atlanta for the birthday observance will also participate in special workshops designed to build winning strategies for state ratification of the ERA and D.C. representation amendments.”

President Carter will be in Atlanta on Sunday, January 14, to receive the 1979 Martin Luther King Non-Violent Peace Prize. The formal presentation will be made by Mrs. King at 2 p.m. at Ebenezer Baptist Church.

A community rally at Ebenezer Baptist Church Thursday, January 11, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. will launch the numerous activities.

On Friday, January 12, a Labor/Management/Government Awards Breakfast is scheduled for 8 a.m. in the MLK Community Center.

Senator Edward Kennedy will be the key-note speaker at a Policy Conference at Ebenezer January 12, beginning at 10:30 a.m. World Peace, U.S. Ratification of Human Rights Covenants, Implementation of the Humphrey-Hawkins Bill, passage of the MLK Birthday Bill and health care are among the scheduled topics to be discussed.

A presentation ceremony focusing on the new U.S. Postal Service Commemorate Stamp honoring Dr. King will take place at Ebenezer Saturday, January 13, at 9 a.m., followed by a series of “strategy sessions” on topics ranging from the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment to securing greater voter registration. In the evening, Atlanta University Center will host a youth rally and disco dance.

Dedication of the MLK Datatorium is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on January 14, followed by an Interfaith Service at Big Bethel Church at 5 p.m. A number of Atlanta clergy are expected to participate in the service at which Archbishop Donnellan will deliver the benediction. A memorial concert will be held at the Civic Center at 8 p.m.

The January 15 day of observation will begin with a wreath laying ceremony at the King gravesite at 9 a.m., followed by an ecumenical service at Ebenezer, which will be broadcast on WAGA-TV, Channel 5, beginning at 10 a.m. Anti-war activist, the Reverend William Sloan Coffin, Pastor of Riverside Church in New York City, will be among those participating.

Following the service, a march from the King crypt to the State Capitol will take place. Singer Stevie Wonder will headline a benefit concert at the Omni at 8 p.m. to conclude the day’s special events.

The United Nations Special Committee Against Apartheid and an International Tribute to Dr. King will begin at the World Congress Center at 10 a.m. January 16. Ola Ulsten, Prime Minister of Sweden; Secretary General Kurt Waldheim, and Ambassador Andrew Young will be among those leading the UN delegation for the special Atlanta meeting, which is the first to be held in Atlanta and is expected to draw delegates from 18 countries.