At his fourth Martin Luther King Day Celebration Monday, Gov. Jim Doyle pushed his agenda for his next four years, stressing the importance of equal opportunity in the upcoming legislative session.
As the Legislature prepares the state's budget, Doyle is calling for a commission to reduce the incarceration of black males.
""Far too many of our citizens, particularly African-American males, are serving their time in prisons rather than learning in our schools or succeeding in the workplace,"" Doyle said. ""We cannot sit by and simply let this continue.""
Doyle said he recognized the challenges to many black citizens and the necessity for ""real plans"" to address the incarceration problem.
According to the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, Wisconsin has the third highest black male incarceration rate in the country. Nationally, three out of four of the 4,100 new admissions of youth to adult prisons were youth of color, said a statement from the group.
The holiday also provided Doyle with a platform to discuss his education plan, the Wisconsin covenant health care and the economy.
The Wisconsin Covenant is a pledge eighth graders sign stating they will meet several requirements such as maintaining a B average in exchange for a promise in one of the state colleges with individual financial help.
Despite race, and socioeconomic factors, Doyle said he believes all state students have a right to high quality education and the chance to prosper
""Wisconsin is a state where all people can get a good education ... where a person armed with a good idea... can succeed,"" Doyle said. "" I don't want any young person in Wisconsin to say college isn't for me.""
Guest Roland S. Martin, a nationally award winning journalist and executive editor of the Chicago Defender, the nation's largest black daily newspaper, called on politicians and citizens become activists.
""It's easy to quote King,"" Martin said, calling on younger generations to act for ""justice and equality.""
Citing Hurricane Katrina as a modern example of the necessity for equality, Martin asked the crowd to take the opportunity on Martin Luther King Day to make a decision and committment to emulate King's progressive values.
To those who do not choose to live like King, said Martin, ""do me a favor and get the hell out of the way.""
