Thank you Rabbi Saperstein for that kind introduction and for your visionary and tireless leadership in promoting community relations.

Martin Luther King fought for justice and freedom against the forces of racism and oppression. He was a champion of what is good and decent and someone all of us should follow and strive to emulate.

Today, not only do we commemorate a great man, but we also commemorate his ideas. Dr. King's contributions lasted far beyond his lifetime, and his influence extended far beyond his own community. And we will never forget Dr. King's excellent relations with the Jewish community and his support of Israel.

I would like to acknowledge tonight's honorees, Theodore Bikel and Hilary Shelton for their lifetime commitment to social justice and civil rights. They follow in the noble footsteps of MLK and should be commended for their dedication to the ideals of Dr. King.

Many of the ideas of Martin Luther King appear prominently in Israel's Declaration of Independence and are values we do our utmost to uphold even though we are continually facing threats of terror, violence and incitement against us.

In these days we are cautiously optimistic, despite the gruesome attack today, that following this Sunday's election in the Palestinian Authority, we will be able to go forward and renew negotiations for a peaceful future based on good faith, good governance, and good will.

Let the legacy of Martin Luther King be a beacon of light to us all. Let us not give up, whatever the difficulties.