WASHINGTON — Maine Sen. Angus King is expected to deliver brief remarks from the Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday as part of the ceremonies marking the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

King was in the crowd on Aug. 28, 1963, as the late civil rights leader delivered those famous lines during an event that still ranks as the largest civil rights rally in U.S. history. Now 69 and a U.S. senator, King was invited by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to participate in Wednesday’s events.

“It was an honor to witness Dr. King’s speech firsthand, and it is again an honor to lend my voice in tribute to one of our nation’s greatest and most noble leaders,” King said in a statement.

Sen. King’s office said the senator is slated to give his brief remarks around 11:30 a.m. A host of civil rights and national leaders – including President Barack Obama and former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter – are also slated to participate in the 50th anniversary ceremonies.

The event is scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.


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