New York State's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Observance: Call to Commemoration

Acting President and CEO of DASNY Reuben McDaniel, III delivers the Call to Commemoration at the NYS Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Observance in Albany.
Acting President and CEO of DASNY Reuben McDaniel, III delivers the Call to Commemoration at the NYS Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Observance in Albany.
Remarks as delivered by Acting President and CEO of DASNY Reuben McDaniel, III

View Mr. McDaniel's remarks here

"Good morning.

It is an honor and a privilege to be here with all of you on this special day, and to speak on behalf our Governor, Andrew M. Cuomo. In my brief tenure as Acting President and CEO of DASNY, I have been overwhelmed by a feeling of welcome. 

Less than two weeks ago right here in this Convention Center, I had the pleasure of attending Governor Cuomo’s State of the State Address.

He said, “There is no place for hate in our state. We have zero tolerance for racism or discrimination, for ugly stereotyping … when someone attacks one of us, they attack each of us, and all of us.”

In New York, we stand united.  And I am proud to be standing here today representing a state that continues to take bold steps toward equal opportunity, fighting for justice, equality and social change.

In April 1967, a year before he was killed, Dr. King spoke on the “fierce urgency of now” in a sermon. Of all his speeches, it remains the least remembered. 

Today we remember.  He said, the "tide in the affairs of men" does not remain at the flood; it ebbs. We may cry out desperately for time to pause in her passage, but time is deaf to every plea and rushes on. Over the bleached bones and jumbled residue of numerous civilizations are written the pathetic words: "Too late." There is an invisible book of life that faithfully records our vigilance or our neglect.

Today we have a choice. To move past indecision to action and stand against racism and hate. To speak our truth. 

Our truth is…everyone is welcome in New York, just like I was welcomed.

Our truth is…while our nation stands politically and socially divided, united New York will confront our problems honestly and bring about meaningful improvement. 

As we celebrate Dr. King’s contributions and accomplishments, let us remember the ideals he exemplified, and follow his example by helping and welcoming others. Let us live our truth. 

Thank you.​"