HOUSTON – It was a day that was 35 years in the making – the unveiling of the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial statue at MacGregor Park.
The bronze statue was revealed after a celebration and march down Martin Luther King Boulevard.
"Every time that there is a monument erected in honor of dad, and to be a part of this parade is fantastic," Martin Luther King III said. "Every time a monument is erected, it gives a sense of hope to the community and then reminds us that the work is not done."
The plaza surrounding the statue features quotes from King's speeches inscribed in granite along with a walkway highlighting 39 milestones from the 39 years of his life.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee says King has rich history with the city of Houston.
"He came and spoke here in 1964 at St. John's Baptist Church," she said. "Then he came back unfortunately during some very difficult times and was forced out of speaking. So we think this is in essence a reunion."
Marchers say the memorial is especially important for young people who didn't live through the civil rights era.