Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. memorial has special meaning on Inauguration Eve

January 20, 2013 (WASHINGTON) (WLS) -- The Dr. Martin Luther King memorial was a gathering point for many in Washington DC to celebrate the second inauguration of the nation's first African-American president.

President Obama is helping to expand the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., according to many supporters.

The inauguration falls on the nation's annual commemoration of King's contributions to the United States.

Gerald Davis and Daphne Gordon saw the King monument in DC for the first time.

"This monument is phenomenal. I expected a statue and to see all of this, I can't even put it in words," Davis said.

Governor Pat Quinn called his first tour of the monument the most important minutes of his day.

"Anyone who comes to Washington should see the Dr. King statue and learn from his legacy," Quinn said. "He would tell us now, its important to perfect our union."

One of the two bibles used in Obama's swearing-ins was owned by Dr. King, the other by Abraham Lincoln who issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

The weekend's symbolism took the edge off political partisanship.

"I mean to have one of our own from Illinois be sworn in to the White House for the second time, no matter what party you're from, you have to be proud of that," Illinois Senate Republican Minority Leader Christine Radogno said.

Congressman Danny Davis said the monument, where dr. king is seen emerging triumphant from a mountain of despair, is renewing hope for Obama's second term.

"The struggle must go on," Davis said. "And I think that's the hope that people leave this weekend with."

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national/world, charles thomas

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