MH/MLKCC.PR                         CONTACT:  Betty Valdes, 301-217-2521

COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES PROGRAM   
FOR DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.'s
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION                FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 13, 1995


      Montgomery County's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Committee
(MLKCC) has announced the program for the 1996 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Birthday Celebration, which will be held at 2 p.m. on January 15 in the
Performing Arts Center on the campus of Montgomery College in Rockville.
      Delano Lewis, president of National Public Radio will be the featured
speaker for this year's program, "Living the Dream: Igniting the Vision of a
New Generation."  Musical entertainment will be provided by the Choir of the
People's Community Baptist Church of Silver Spring, soloist Camilla J. Louis
from Springbrook High School and the Montgomery College Jazz Ensemble.  A
reception will immediately follow the program.
        The event will also feature presentations of the Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Humanitarian Award, the Children of the Dream Awards and the
Gaithersburg Literary Arts Award.  The  annual awards recognize County
residents who have demonstrated a commitment to perpetuate the goals and
ideals communicated by Dr. King.
      The program is free.  However, persons attending are asked to bring a
      non-perishable food item, which will be distributed to a needy family.
      Montgomery College is located at Route 355 and Mannakee Street.
      For more information, call Betty Valdes at 217-2521.