In 1978, I had a unique opportunity to attend a meeting in Martin Luther King’s home. Martin Luther King III called and invited me to attend a private strategy session for making the holiday a reality. Attending the meeting were several key National Civil Rights leaders.

We arrived at Martin Luther King Jr.’s home around 1:30 in the afternoon. As we approached the door I realized my close friend Jeh’s deodorant had given out. I turned to Jeh and said, “ I can not believe you have come to Martin Luther King’s house smelling like a billy goat.” He said “ Don’t worry I won’t fan around.” Jeh looked like a statue as he sat in this high powered meeting with his arms held closely to his sides. We laugh about it today, but at the time I was quite nervous. He later adopted my brand of Tussy (no room for typo) deodorant. As I watched him on CNN during his confirmation hearings as confident as the Pope, I knew he was wearing that Tussy. (No room for typo)

Mrs. King answered the door. When I walked into her living room I nearly passed out when I saw all of the famous people sitting there. I felt like a mule in the Kentucky Derby.

Mrs. King started the meeting by telling everyone why we had gathered. She then asked for comments about the prospect of Dr. King being honored with a national holiday. Personally I thought Mrs. King had lost her mind. Surely America would not honor Dr. King with a holiday.

Dr. Holloway, in political exile from Sierra Leone, West Africa raised his hand. Mrs. King recognized him and he began to speak. “ Mrs. King, I DO NOT THINK THAT YOUR HUSBAND’S BIRTHDAY SHOULD BE A NATIONAL HOLIDAY. WHAT ARE THE BLACK (not the word he used) PEOPLE GOING TO DO ON THAT DAY…THEY WILL SIMPLY BARBEQUE!” I imagined that I saw smoke come out of Mrs. King’s ears. She looked at Dr. Holloway and responded. “FIRST OF ALL, I DO NOT NEED A PROFESSOR TO COME INTO MY HOME AND LECTURE ME! SECONDLY, WHO INVITED YOU?” At that moment I wanted to crawl under her couch. I was the one that invited Dr. Holloway. Martin III immediately walked over to his mother and whispered something in her ear. I suppose he told her that Dr. Holloway was his political science professor. She made no further comments and recognized the next person.

Fourteen years later, on November 2, 1983, Mrs. King’s dream came into reality. I could not believe it. Mrs. King had faith the American Government would stand up and do the right thing in this situation. On January 20, 1986, we began to celebrate Dr. King’s birthday. Each year on the third Monday of January, schools, federal offices, post offices and banks across America would close.

Many people have criticized the holiday as being too costly, but I think Senator Bob Dole set the record straight when he pointed out to critics: “I SUGGEST THEY HURRY BACK TO THEIR POCKET CALCULATORS AND ESTIMATE THE COST OF 300 YEARS OF SLAVERY, FOLLOWED BY A CENTURY OF ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION AND DISCRIMINATION.”

I will not be barbecuing on the holiday. I WILL BE MARCHING WITH ALVIN HOLMES.

In the words of my dad, “You must honor the chair whether it is sitting, walking or lying down.”