In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday into law. It was first observed in 1986. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000. On January 18, 2010 in Prattville, Martin Luther King Jr., Day was celebrated with the 22nd annual parade.

The events of the holiday were established under the auspices of the Alabama Democratic Conference. It is now being led by Reverend Johnny Davis of the Autauga County Improvement Association, which now organizes the events of the day beginning with the parade and ending at First Missionary Baptist Church with a church service. The service varies each year depending on how the youth want to acknowledge and honor Dr. King. The Junior ROTC organizes that portion of the program. In the past, Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech has been played for all to enjoy. This year, the youth showed history slides with Dr. King speaking in the background followed by the singing of gospel songs by the Autauga County Mass Choir.

Councilman Willie Wood, Jr. walking in the parade.

Reverend Davis and Councilman Wood both feel that allowing and encouraging the youth to plan that portion of the day's events passes Dr. King's message forward to the children and keeps his message alive.

"To me personally, the efforts of Dr. King led to myself and other blacks being elected to office. It's important to note that he fought for both whites and blacks. This led to voting rights and the Civil Rights Act. We acknowledge and celebrate his work which led to a lot of people being able to have better jobs, gain political office, and so on," said Councilman Willie Wood, Jr. when asked why this holiday, and the events held on that day, was important to him personally.

When asked the same question, Reverend Davis said, "I think young people need to know the struggles we went through to get where we are today and that the liberties we have today didn't come without people paying a price."

Commissioner Carl Johnson drove in the parade procession.

Both the City of Prattville and Autauga County play a major role in the parade. Mayor Jim Byard, Jr., Probate Judge Al Booth, Councilman Willie Wood, Jr., Councilman Ray Boles, County Commissioner Carl Johnson, and Circuit Clerk Whit Moncrief all walked or drove vehicles in the parade. Councilman Wood, who was honored by the Alabama League of Municipalities last year for 20 years of service as a City Councilman, is the city's first black councilmember and Commissioner Carl Johnson is the county's first black commissioner. Reverend Davis was very appreciative of the assistance he received from Special Events Director Kellie Cook in writing press releases for the events of the day.

"As usual, a good crowd and a great program honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I have enjoyed walking in this parade over the past 10 years. It is a nice way to see a lot of folks, both young and old. I am proud that our City partners with the Autauga County Improvement Association and other parade organizers to assist in this worthwhile endeavor," said Mayor Jim Byard, Jr. (Picture at right: Byard walking in the parade.).

To get involved in these events, please contact the Autauga County Improvement Association at 334-315-0714. Meetings are held on the 1st Thursday of each month at BankTrust at 6 p.m.

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Note: The Autauga County Improvement Association is not a political organization. It is a charitable and educational organization whose focus is to improve the conditions and circumstances in Autauga County. Citizens may check the website calendar each January for details of the events of the day.