Donald Temple Appreciates With Song and Flowers as Thurgood Marshall Trust Phenomenal Men Honoree
Left-D.C.Council President Gray,Center-Donald Temple,Right-Michael Rogers
Above photo courtesy of Charles Mason
On last Saturday,February 7,2009,at the Thurgood Marshall Center Trust,civil rights Attorney Donald M. Temple gave a thoughtful acceptance speech (see video below) which included reference to Platters’ song , “I Love You 1000 Times“.
Temple went on to speak of civil rights leaders and great legal minds like Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall,how they dedicated their lives and professional careers to the pursuit of equal justice under the law. For all they gave of themselves he remarked “I love you a thousand times”.He also marked the occasion by recognizing Marshall’s widow Cissy with a beautiful bouquet of orange lillies.
Thurgood Marshall Center Trust,Executive Director,Thomasina Yearwood was also acknowledged by Mr. Temple with a historic photograph of Judge Spotswood Robinson and Justice Thurgood Marshall which he donated from his private collection.He stressed the importance of such community groups as Concerned Black Men which he founded and asked the current President of that organization to stand. He continued a demonstration of class that is surely the product of many years of struggle and triumph in the “legal trenches” by acknowledging his peers, the other wonderful men on the podium with whom he was sharing the honor.
Other Phenomenal Men honorees included President Barack Obama (who was not in attendance),the Honorable Rev.Walter E.Fauntroy,the Honorable Marion Barry,Councilmember,Ward 8, Ibrahim C. Mumin,President of Mumin and Associates,LLC. and Thomas B. Hargrave Jr.,President Emeritus YMCA of Metropolitan Washington.Michael C. Rogers,Esq.,Executive Vice President,Corporate Services MedStar Health served as Master of Ceremonies.
The great grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt attended. Joe Coleman provided two musical selections and The State Farm Gospel Choir performed two gospel songs.CeLilliane Green read her poem “Lifted” which was inspired by the Presidential campaign of Barack Obama.Rev. Khalfani Drummer gave the benediction.
For more about the program ,including the historic Time Capsule ceremony,which followed the awards presentation please read the Washington Post’s follow up article “Marshall Center Holds On to History”.
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It was a wonderful ceremony.I enjoyed Donald’s acceptance…class act.
revcoolc said this on February 21st, 2009 at 8:02 pm