University of Wisconsin - Extension

Highlights of the 23rd annual Tribute and Ceremony Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will air at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, on Wisconsin Public Television (WPT). Patty Loew will be WPT's anchor for the broadcast.

The event, the oldest state celebration in the nation of Dr. King's birthday, will take place at noon Jan 20 in the State Capitol Rotunda. The featured guest speaker will be the Rev. Clifton Davis, an actor and musician best known for his role as the Rev. Reuben Gregory on the TV series Amen.

Jonathan Overby, host and executive producer of Wisconsin Public Radio's Higher Ground, is producing and directing the event for Africasong Communications Inc. "This state event is a wonderful opportunity in a culturally inclusive setting to celebrate the legacy of Dr King," Overby said. "It's an honor to be a part of it." Liz Koerner is producing WPT's program.

Among those appearing or performing at the Capitol celebration will be Gov. Jim Doyle, the Madison Children's Choir, the Highway to Heaven Big Band, the Lighthouse Singers, the Christ the King Cherubim Choir of Milwaukee and the Mount Zion Liturgical Dancers. The event also will include a National Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Tuskegee Airman Joseph Gomer of Duluth, Minn., and presentation of the 2003 MLK Heritage Award.

The WPT broadcast will be one hour of highlights from the event.

WPT is a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and University of Wisconsin-Extension.

Wisconsin Public Television is a place to grow through learning on WHA-TV and WHA-DT/Madison, WPNE-TV/Green Bay, WHRM-TV/Wausau, WLEF-TV/Park Falls, WHLA-TV/La Crosse and WHWC-TV/Menomonie-Eau Claire.