Annual MLK luncheon in Pocatello honors Stephen Weeg
The Pocatello branch of the NAACP held its annual Martin Luther King Jr. luncheon Saturday, celebrating his life, recognizing his teachings and honoring locals who have made a positive difference in the community.
To Lynn Winmill, U.S. Court district judge in Pocatello, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is about celebrating the legacy he left and continuing his work.
“He was successful, I think, in helping us overcome legal segregation,” Winmill said. “But the problems that I think bedeviled us in the ’60s then are still problems today largely because of economic problems and disparity in income.”
Part of Dr. King’s legacy is making change for the betterment of all, which is why the NAACP recognized Stephen Weeg for his work in trying to bring health care to all Idahoans as board chairman of Your Health Idaho, the state’s health exchange.
“I think it was great to get the award,” Weeg said when asked why he felt deserving of the award. “I don’t know that I would say deserving. It’s just something I believe in and I think is right for us as human beings.”
Weeg was retired when he was called to be the board chairman, and he says he was reluctant at first.
“I said yes,” he said. “I said it because I felt it was important.”
Seeing a need a working to make it better is something both men say is the legacy of a man who died trying to leave the world better than he left it.
“We’re living up to the challenges he gave us in terms of trying to address the problems of the poor, minority groups and trying to make our country a greater country,” said Winmill.
Bobbie Branch, chapter president of the NAACP spoke Saturday about taking action, especially helping children to understand that differences can be settling through peace, openness and the want to make things better for everyone.
“Think about how far we’ve come as a country, and how far we have to go,” said Weeg. “The promise is yet to be fulfilled, and it’s a good time to think about how we help each other and what more we can do to make this a civil and humane society for every person living in our country.”
The NAACP is planning other events to commemorate Dr. King. At the First United Methodist Church on Sunday, there will be an MLK Service and presentation of the Joy Morrison Award at 5:30 p.m., 200 N. 15th Ave. The annual MLK March will start Monday at 1 p.m. at the south side of Holt Arena. The march will conclude at 2 p.m. with a program in the rotunda of the Stephens Performing Arts Center at ISU.
