SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT CELEBRATES THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
January 13, 2005 - The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department will be participating in the 11th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade on Monday, January 17, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. in downtown Houston. The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) recognizes Dr. King for his support of sanitation workers and his contributions to the solid waste industry.
In 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a march in Memphis to protest low wages and poor working conditions for sanitation workers. After several days that brought national attention to this issue, Dr. King was slain on April 4.
"We are pleased to participate in this year's celebration of Dr. King, a remarkable man who devoted his life in fighting injustice and racism," says SWMD Director Thomas Buchanan. "In commemoration, we will be featuring our garbage trucks in this year's parade, as well as SWMD refuse drivers and mechanics on one of the floats."
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade is the 3rd largest parade in the United States. It is the largest United States MLK, Jr. holiday celebration consisting of 35,000 parade participants, 400 individual parade entries, and more than 50 marching bands. It is estimated that there will be 300,000-400,000 spectators at this year's event.
For more parade information, call 713-953-1633. For the Solid Waste Management Department holiday schedule, please call 311 or view the holiday schedule trash pickup schedule online.
The Solid Waste Management Department provides solid waste services to the citizens of Houston through the collection, disposal and recycling of discarded material in a manner that is safe, efficient, environmentally-sound and cost-effective.