Cleaver to speak at annual NAACP banquet in Marshall

The Mar-Saline Branch of the NAACP will hold its Annual Freedom Fund and Awards Banquet on Saturday, June 26, at Missouri Valley College, R. Wilson Brown Banquet Room, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The theme is "One Nation, One Dream ...," celebrating equality and social and civil liberties for all Americans, according to a news release from the organization.

U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, D-Mo., who represents the 5th Congressional District, will the guest speaker.

"He has worked tirelessly to make this dream a reality," NAACP officials said.

The NAACP was founded in 1909 and is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. The Mar-Saline Branch received its charter in 1939.

Reservations should be made by June 15. Tickets are $30 for individuals, $250 for a table of eight.

For more information, contact Mar-Saline Branch President Clyde Williams at President@NAACPMarshallMo.org or Virginia Huston at virginiahuston@att.net.