WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama evoked Martin Luther King Jr.’s own words about public service Monday as Obama and his family celebrated the life of the late civil-rights leader with a volunteer project.
The president, along with his wife, Michelle, and their daughter Malia, joined other volunteers at Browne Education Center in Washington.
During brief remarks, the president said there was no better way to honor King than to do something on behalf of others. He also acknowledged the controversy surrounding a quote on the new King memorial in Washington, which is being changed amid criticism that it did not accurately reflect King’s words.
“What he really said was all of us can be a drum major for service, all of us can be a drum major for justice,” Obama said. “There is nobody who can’t serve, nobody who can’t help somebody else.”
After meeting with volunteers, the Obamas headed to the school library to help build bookshelves and a reading corner for students. The Obamas then painted two King quotes on the library walls. The Associated Press
