More than 1,000 people attended the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission's, "A Day of Service – A Day On, Not a Day Off," to celebrate King's legacy at the Benton Event Center on Monday.
The commission featured several events throughout the day to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, including a vendor showcase, job fair, health screenings and speakers.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson spoke to the crowded room about honoring King's legacy of inspiring others to action.
"What great men truly want is for their lives to inspire action and that is a good word for us today," Hutchinson said.
"[King] caused people to act, to make a decision. That's what great leaders do, inspire people to act and make a choice."
Hutchinson reiterated points from his inaugural address, including creating jobs in the state, passing tax cuts for the middle class and having computer science classes taught in every high school.
"[King] talked about the fierce urgency of now in his 'I Have a Dream' speech, and I challenge you to act to do something for Arkansas and I pledge to walk right beside you as we accomplish these things," Hutchinson said as the crowd gave him a standing ovation.
The commission presented Hutchinson with a Dream Keeper's Award.
Several state representatives and senators, along with Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and Rep. French Hill, spoke and presented readings to remember King's legacy.
Actor Eric Braeden, known for his role as Victor Newman on The Young and The Restless, gave the keynote speech and made parallels between his experience growing up in Germany during World War II and American civil rights.
Braeden read a speech about being German in America after the war. He immigrated to America at 18 and recalled seeing separate bathrooms for blacks and whites. After seeing the documentary Mein Kampf, Braeden said he would was "embarrassed and ashamed" and would send angry letters home to his mother in Germany about his country's role in the war.
At times during the speech, the crowd cheered Braeden on when he was so overwhelmed with emotion he couldn't speak.
Braeden said he sees a parallel between Germans who weren't recognized for their contributions beyond World War II and blacks in America.
"We need to show not just athletes and rappers, but show black scientists, teachers, doctors and people who have worked their fingers to their bones for this country," he said. "Those who have fought in foreign wars for this country, it needs to be fully recognized. You need to have full equal rights."
The commission gave Braeden an award and certificate of appreciation for speaking at the event.
Several organizations and businesses received awards. The Ralph Bunche Community Development Corporation of Benton received the Humanities Award, Everett Buick GMC and the Benton Chamber of Commerce both received the 2015 Economic Development and Outstanding Community Service Award.
DuShun Scarbrough, executive director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, said he was pleased with the large and diverse turnout at the event, estimating attendance at over 1,200 people.
