The Martin Luther King Jr., Distinguished Service Awards established in 1996, remembers the altruistic efforts of Dr. King whose spirit, philosophy and teachings continue to inspire countless individuals today. As a leader of the civil rights movement, Dr. King's formative life called for commitment to serving others and to overcoming injustice for all. The awards ceremony honors members of the Eastern community and Connecticut whose contributions uphold qualities of inclusion, cultural awareness, human rights and social justice.