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King memorial quote to be fixed

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The $120 million memorial to Martin Luther King Jr opens to the public today August 22, 2011 in Washington, DC. UPI/Kevin Dietsch
The $120 million memorial to Martin Luther King Jr opens to the public today August 22, 2011 in Washington, DC. UPI/Kevin Dietsch 
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Published: Feb. 10, 2012 at 3:43 PM

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Friday the quote on the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall will be corrected.

The so-called "Drum Major" quote currently reads: "I was a drum major for justice, peace and righteousness." Members of King's family and others objected to it, saying it was taken out of context and edited, belying King's innate humility.

Salazar and National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis met with members of the King family earlier this week and Friday announced the memorial will sport the full quote, taken from a speech King delivered at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta in 1968. The full quote reads: "Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter."

Salazar said the dedication of the memorial was a proud moment for the country.

"With a monument so powerful and timeless, it is especially important that all aspects of its words, design and meaning stay true to Dr. King's life and legacy," Salazar said.

Topics: Ken Salazar
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