King Changed U.S. Course, Governor Says

In a day devoted to the memory of Martin Luther King Jr., Gov. George Deukmejian praised the slain civil rights leader Saturday for compelling America to “change its course” and called on Californians to abolish all racial prejudice.

“Today, some vestiges of discrimination remain and a few hate-filled fringe groups still soil the free American landscape,” Deukmejian said in his weekly radio address Saturday morning. “We must never rest as long as these elements continue to pollute the principles of Dr. King and our democracy.”

The Republican governor, speaking out on an issue that for years was largely the domain of Democrats, repeated the same theme later in tributes to King at the California Afro-American Museum in Exposition Park and at a dinner in Pasadena.

In 1984, Deukmejian caught some of his fellow Republicans by surprise when he declared the third Monday in January a state holiday to honor King’s birthday, which is Jan. 15. State workers celebrated the holiday for the first time last year.

This year, King’s birthday became a national holiday under legislation signed by President Reagan and will be officially celebrated Monday.

Deukmejian acknowledged to reporters that he never participated in the civil rights movement of the 1960s but said, “I think that for all Americans, but especially for black Americans, that it’s important that their leaders do receive the appropriate recognition.”

But as Republican politicians increasingly rally behind the memory of King, Deukmejian told reporters he had no political motive in appearing at King memorials in the backyard of Mayor Tom Bradley, his likely gubernatorial opponent in the November election.

Ali Webb, Bradley’s press secretary, declined to discuss the political implications of Deukmejian’s visit. “It’s one of his functions as governor,” she said. “I think it’s appropriate that he salute Martin Luther King on the occasion of his birthday.”

Deukmejian was warmly received by an audience of several hundred people at the Afro-American museum where he awarded prizes to more than 20 students, ranging from the first to the twelfth grades, who had written essays and created works of art in tribute to King.

The arts and essay contest was jointly sponsored by the museum and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which was founded by King.

“We’ve come a long way since Dr. King peacefully compelled America to change its course,” Deukmejian said. “We still have a long way to go,” he added. “My dream is that California will be the first land where all citizens, regardless of their background, will share equally in the freedom, opportunity and prosperity of our state.”

In his radio broadcast, Deukmejian said his economic and education programs will expand opportunities for blacks and other minorities. Noting that the state spends more than half its budget on education, Deukmejian said the state was going to increase school classroom time, increase student aid and make more funds available for affirmative-action efforts.

“I am very proud that in California we began observing this important day as a state holiday two years ago,” Deukmejian said in his radio address. “Dr. Martin Luther King touched the conscience of America and provided hope to millions that they would someday share in the promise of our great nation.”