Obama praises volunteer efforts on King holiday

"Dr. King obviously had a dream of justice and equality in our society, but he also had a dream of service, that you could be a drum major for service, that you could lead by giving back to our communities. And that's what this program is all about and that's what these participants are all about."
The president came with his wife Michelle, who was celebrating her 47th birthday, and daughters Malia and Sasha, and at one point took a paint brush and began painting.
The first family then met mentors and students from different programs organized by Greater DC Cares' Mentoring Matters Initiative.
"Doing great work. Great work," Obama told one table.
"Michelle and I and the girls are extraordinarily proud that each year on Martin Luther King's birthday this is how we celebrate, making sure we're giving back to the community."
He said that he hoped all service programs across the country were "getting similar attention."
A memorial to King is set to open August 28, the anniversary of his famous 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech.
King was shot dead in Memphis, Tennessee in April 1968.
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