Bush says 'still work to do' to fulfill King Jr.'s dreams

LANDOVER, Md. -- President Bush, criticized for decisions on affirmative action and conservative federal judgeships, said Monday "there's still prejudice holding people back" from Martin Luther King Jr.'s dreams of equality.

The predominantly black congregation of First Baptist Church of Glenarden in suburban Washington welcomed Bush with a standing ovation as it celebrated in song and scripture the memory of King, who would have turned 74 last Wednesday.

"It is fitting that we honor Martin Luther King in a church, because, Gregory, I believe, like you, that the power of his words, the clarity of his vision, the courage of his leadership occurred because he put his faith in the Almighty," Bush told Gregg Hunter, a teenager who had just read an essay on the slain civil rights leader.

The federal King Day holiday, first celebrated in 1986, is on the third Monday in January.

"It is fitting that we honor this great American in a church because out of the church comes the notion" of equality and justice, Bush said. "And even though progress has been made, Pastor, even though progress has been made there's more to do."

Despite the warm welcome, some members of the congregation said they had trouble with Bush declaring last week his opposition to the University of Michigan's affirmative action program.

"We need affirmative action," said Pat Williams, 51, an 18-year employee of the General Services Administration. "I don't want to try and read someone's mind, but you can't stop affirmative action and still honor Dr. King."

Bush's visit was part of a national celebration that included:

Coretta Scott King, widow of the slain civil rights hero, urging world leaders to avoid war as Bush girds for a confrontation with Iraq. "We commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. as a great champion of peace who warned us that war was a poor chisel for carving out a peaceful tomorrow," she said in Atlanta.

Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., questioning Bush's stance on affirmative action and the so-called "legacy" policies that give advantage to offspring of college alumni. Critics say Bush got into Yale University with the help of legacy credits, yet he opposes giving preference to minorities who seek college admission.

Meals for more than 15,000 people at the Hosea Williams Feed the Hungry dinner in Atlanta. Volunteer groups across the country recruited people to help their communities.

Bush brought along his wife, Laura, and several top aides, including national security adviser Condoleezza Rice, to the Baptist church here.

Rice caused a stir Friday when she said race could be used as a factor in school admissions, going farther to show her support for affirmative action than Bush was willing to tread. Secretary of State Colin Powell said Sunday he disagreed with the president's opposition to a University of Michigan affirmative action program.

Powell and Rice are black.

Bush's applause paled in comparison to the cheers that followed Rice's introduction. She smiled and blew kisses to the crowd from her seat behind Bush.

The cheers turned to shouts when minister Nikkie Pearson sang a hymn in King's honor. Bush bobbed his head while Rice sang along to Pearson's refrain: "Precious Lord, lead me on."

Last month, Bush harshly criticized Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., for remarks that seemed to express nostalgia for the segregation era. Bush's condemnation helped fuel criticism that forced Lott from his GOP leadership post.

With Lott out of power, Bush surprised many observers this month by renominating Charles Pickering of Mississippi, whose nomination to a Court of Appeals seat last year was blocked by Senate Democrats after civil rights groups questioned his race-relations record.

None of the political machinations were mentioned Sunday.

"We don't know how you feel about him personally, but he is the president of the United States," Jones said, to loud cheers.

Bush, who received 9 percent of the black vote in 2000, stood before the congregation and made a pitch for his plans to make more federal money available to church groups and charities that do community service.

"This government of yours must welcome faith, not discriminate faith, as we deal with the future of this great country," he said.

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On the Net:

First Baptist Church of Glenarden: http://www.fbcglenarden.org/