VOA标准英语2010年-Obama and First Family Observe MLK Day

U.S. President Barack Obama led Americans on Monday in honoring the legacy¹ of the slain² civil rights leader, Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.  For the president, the King Day holiday has a special meaning.

Mr. Obama has often talked about America's journey from the days of the struggle for racial equality to his election as the nation's first African-American president.

He highlighted that journey at the White House, where he brought together black elders and their grandchildren to talk about the meaning of the civil rights movement across generations.

"I want to wish everybody around the country a day in which they reflect on the extraordinary contributions ordinary citizens can make each and every day to make America the most hopeful country in the world," said President Obama.

Earlier in the day, the president paid tribute³ to Martin Luther King's legacy of public service.

Mr. Obama took his family to the headquarters of a local charity that helps the homeless and the poor.  Donning a green apron⁴ and cap, the president joined other volunteers serving lunch to the needy⁵.  So did the first lady, her mother and the two Obama daughters.

A homeless man named Demetrius sat with a plate of chicken, potatoes and bread.  He said he had no idea the president would be there.

"Still shaking," said  Demetrius. "I am very nervous.  I still want to shake his hand again.  I am proud that he is showing support for the homeless and everything."

Many members of the president's inner circle joined him in marking the King Day holiday through community service.  It is all part of an effort in recent years to make sure that the focus of Martin Luther King Day is not simply a day off from work and school, but a day to help others.

Martin Luther King, Jr. is the only black American whose birthday is a national holiday.  He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his non-violent movement for social change.  He was assassinated⁶ in 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee.

1 legacy   

n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西

参考例句：

• They are the most precious cultural legacy our forefathers left.它们是我们祖先留下来的最宝贵的文化遗产。
• He thinks the legacy is a gift from the Gods.他认为这笔遗产是天赐之物。

2 slain   

杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词)

参考例句：

• The soldiers slain in the battle were burried that night. 在那天夜晚埋葬了在战斗中牺牲了的战士。
• His boy was dead, slain by the hand of the false Amulius. 他的儿子被奸诈的阿缪利乌斯杀死了。

3 tribute   

n.颂词，称赞，(表示敬意的)礼物；贡品

参考例句：

• She accepted their tribute graciously.她慈祥地接受了他们的致意。
• Many conquered nations had to pay tribute to the rulers of ancient Rome.许多被征服的国家必须向古罗马的统治者朝贡。

4 apron   

n.围裙；工作裙

参考例句：

• We were waited on by a pretty girl in a pink apron.招待我们的是一位穿粉红色围裙的漂亮姑娘。
• She stitched a pocket on the new apron.她在新围裙上缝上一只口袋。

5 needy   

adj.贫穷的，贫困的，生活艰苦的

参考例句：

• Although he was poor,he was quite generous to his needy friends.他虽穷，但对贫苦的朋友很慷慨。
• They awarded scholarships to needy students.他们给贫苦学生颁发奖学金。

6 assassinated   

v.暗杀( assassinate的过去式和过去分词 )；中伤；诋毁；破坏

参考例句：

• The prime minister was assassinated by extremists. 首相遭极端分子暗杀。
• Then, just two days later, President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. 跟着在两天以后，肯尼迪总统在达拉斯被人暗杀。 来自辞典例句