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King memorial quote to be fixed

The $120 million memorial to Martin Luther King Jr opens to the public today August 22, 2011 in Washington, DC. UPI/Kevin Dietsch
1 of 6 | The $120 million memorial to Martin Luther King Jr opens to the public today August 22, 2011 in Washington, DC. UPI/Kevin Dietsch | License Photo

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.

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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.

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