MLK celebration also to recognize late Rep. Roger Freeman

January 5, 2017 3:30 pm
MLK celebration also to recognize late Rep. Roger Freeman

This January marks the celebration of what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s 88th birthday. As in past years, the city of Federal Way and the city of Federal Way Diversity Commission will be hosting a celebration of Dr. King’s life, which will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 14 with the citywide Food Drive to benefit both the Federal Way Multi-Service and the Federal Way Senior Center at many of our local grocery stores and then conclude with a community celebration on Jan. 16.

For the past five years, the city of Federal Way’s Diversity Commission has partnered with the Federal Way school district’s high schools in bringing this event to our community. Every year the MLK event is rotated among the high schools, and this year the celebration is being hosted by Todd Beamer High School.

New to this year’s celebration is an award in honor of a person who made sure that the city of Federal Way and the Diversity Commission had the means to continue with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s. vision of inclusion and peace, former city of Federal Way councilman and district State Rep. the late Roger Freeman. While still a city councilman, he spearheaded the effort to bring back the MLK event to the city after a one-year hiatus and secured funding for the event for future celebrations.

Roger Freeman was born in Omaha, Nebraska, but came to call Federal Way his home. Because of his profession as an attorney, Roger was always an advocate for those in need and the less fortunate, especially when it came to children. He became a member of the Federal Way City Council in 2010 and three years later was sworn into office as one of our district’s state representatives, a position he held until his death in October 2014. Although somewhat green to the politics in Olympia, he worked tirelessly to make the lives of the citizens of the 30th District his priority. In just two short years, he was able to pass six legislative bills into law, something very unusual for someone considered to be a “junior legislator.” In 2015 he was honored by lawmakers and Gov. Jay Inslee. A House bill that he worked on during the 2014 Legislative Session that helps families struggling to pay court-ordered services was signed into law and renamed the Roger Freeman Act, thus another testament to his hard work.

Roger Freeman led a life of unselfishness and kindness. He believed in protecting families and their children, and he dedicated his work to them.

To honor and celebrate the work and life of the late Rep. Roger Freeman, the city of Federal Way’s Diversity Commission and the Federal Way school district is proud to sponsor the Representative Roger Freeman Memorial Award in conjunction with this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. This award is open to all juniors and seniors who attend high school within the Federal Way school district and will be presented to the winner during the 2017 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Todd Beamer High School. All contestants must submit an application and a required essay to the city of Federal Way’s Community Services Department by Monday to be considered. The winner will be chosen by the Diversity Commission members at their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday.

The essay will be required to include the four outstanding characteristics and core values that Roger Freeman exemplified and will always be remembered for.

They are:

• Justice – advocating for those who lack the means to help themselves;

• Diversity – inclusion of all;

• Compassion – humility and volunteerism; concern for others;

• Integrity – truthful, honest and reliable.

The applicant must explain how they follow these characteristics and core values in their everyday life and how they plan on utilizing them in the future.

Applications are available on the city of Federal Way Diversity Commission website, http://www.cityoffederalway.com/content/diversity-commisssion, or for more information regarding this award, please contact Jeri-Lynn Clark at jeri-lynn.clark@cityoffederalway.com, or call 253-835-2401. You can also contact Kassie Swenson at: kswenson@fwps.org or 253-945-2262.