Earl F. Hilliard: “I would like to recite the Birmingham Pledge: I believe that every person has worth as an individual. I believe that…”

“I would like to recite the Birmingham Pledge: I believe that every person has worth as an individual. I believe that every person is entitled to dignity and our respect, regardless of race or color. I believe that every thought and every act of racial prejudice is harmful; if it is my thought or act, then it is harmful to me as well as to others. Therefore, from this day forward I will strive daily to eliminate racial prejudice from my thoughts and actions. I will discourage racial prejudice by others at every opportunity. I will treat all people with dignity and respect; and I will strive daily to honor this pledge, knowing that the world will be a better place because of my effort. I urge my colleagues to sign it, to vote for it, and to live it.”