On behalf of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations Board, we wish to express our deep appreciation and gratitude to the Coeur d’Alene Press for your outstanding and in-depth coverage of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Fifth Grade Children’s Program for the past 33 years.

You have captured and shared with your readers the powerful and remarkable student essay readings, musical performances and dance groups by the fifth-graders from the Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene school districts, as well as the messages of nationally recognized human rights speakers who have addressed the students over more than three decades.

The children have taught us to choose love over hate. This year’s essay readings and messages of hope and kindness from 18 young students brings to mind Biblical passages from both the Jewish and Christian faiths as described in the Complete Jewish Bible and the King James Bible that from the mouths of children comes praise for the Almighty God, and with a modern additional interpretation of a message of strength and wisdom from the children’s words.

We wish to thank the faculty, staff, administration and school boards from both school districts for their many years of commitment to this program in a partnership with the KCTFHR. We also extend a thank you to the many parents and families over these 33 years who have not only supported the schools’ efforts to maintain this program, but also a family environment that teaches their children to respect and recognize the rights of all humanity.

CHRISTIE WOOD

President

Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations Board of Directors