Seated left to right: Wizards guard Jerry Stackhouse, WJLA Anchorwoman Angela Russell, Wizards Television Analyst Phil Chenier, and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. Mitchell Layton/NBAE/Getty Images

The Washington Wizards celebrated the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 19th with a reading rally celebration prior to that afternoon's game versus the Chicago Bulls at MCI Center.

More then 200 school-aged children from the Washington D.C. metropolitan area came to MCI Center, honoring Dr. King’s legacy by listening to stories and talking about the civil rights activist, as well as reciting his historical “I Have A Dream” speech in celebration of what would have been his 75th birthday.

“May we pledge to use this day as a beacon to go forward and finish the job,” said Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. “I am grateful that our young people are stepping forward in the name of change. The involvement of the Wizards organization, especially in this sports crazed city, is enormous in the ability of sports figures to use their power to turn people’s attention to what is serious and what is important.”

Other special guests who joined Congresswoman Norton included Wizards guard Jerry Stackhouse, Mystics guard Annie Burgess, former Bullets and current Wizards Television Analyst Phil Chenier, former Bullets Harvey Grant and Michael Adams and WJLA Anchorwoman Angela Russell. Hosted by Comcast SportsNet anchor and reporter George Johnson, Johnson started the celebration by urging the attendees to “stand up and be counted.”

“Most of us would not be able to sit here today without the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Stackhouse. “We have come so far in such a short time, and I am thrilled to be here in honor of this remarkable man.”

Capping the celebration was the opportunity of all in attendance to sign a life sized birthday card thanking Dr. King. Saying “Thank You Dr. King For The Dream”, the card was sent to the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change.