Obama praises volunteer efforts on King holiday
AFP
WASHINGTON- US President Barack Obama met community service volunteers Monday as he marked the holiday honoring slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King.
"This is part of what America is all about. And after a painful week where so many of us were focused on tragedy it's good for us to remind ourselves of what this country's all about," Obama said in his visit to Stuart Hobson Middle School in Washington.
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------