Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has been honored locally, for the past 13 years, through a student essay contest, sponsored by the Friends of Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. The public is invited to hear the winning essays read aloud on Thursday, February 22, at 6:30 p.m., at Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 7340 24th Street Bypass, Sacramento.

Local fourth- through 12th-grade students submitted essays of 2,000 words or less, based on this year's theme, Finding Peace in Violent Times. The essay included such topics as:

* What would Dr. King say to our national leaders about the United States' involvement in other countries' problems today?
* If Dr. King wrote a letter today, what might he say to help people better understand conflicts throughout the world?
* If Dr. King spoke out today against the war in Iraq, how would Americans and other nations react to his comments?

Cash awards provided by the Friends of Martin Luther King, Jr. Library will be presented to the top three essay winners at the February 22 branch program.

"Dr. King has been honored throughout the world; our library is named after him. The branch Friends feel very strongly that we honor this great African American so his deeds and words should not be forgotten," said Bess Chen, Martin Luther King, Jr. Library supervisor.