Acclaimed National Leader and Speaker Joseph E. Lowery to Headline 16th Annual Birthday Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Presented by Minneapolis Community and Technical College and Sponsored by the Star Tribune.

Minneapolis Community and Technical College:

What:    Rev. Joseph Lowery, one of the top black preachers in the
         country hailed as the "dean of the civil rights movement",
         will be the keynote speaker at the 16th annual "Celebrate the
         Dream" birthday tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin
         Luther King, Jr. on Jan. 15, 2006 at the Basilica of St. Mary
         in downtown Minneapolis. It is anticipated that the tribute
         will draw more than 1,800 people. The event is being
         presented by Minneapolis Community and Technical College
         (MCTC) and being sponsored by the Star Tribune.

Who:     The event will feature an inspirational message by Rev.
         Doctor Joseph E. Lowery, highlighting the life and legacy of
         Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. An honored and acclaimed national
         leader and speaker, Lowery recently spoke at the funeral of
         former civil rights activist Rosa Parks. Lowery is co-founder
         and president emeritus of the Southern Christian Leadership
         Conference (SCLC), chairman emeritus of the Black Leadership
         Forum, Inc. and convener of the Georgia Coalition for The
         People's Agenda.

         Lowery has received numerous awards from organizations and
         honorary doctorates from colleges throughout the U.S. Ebony
         Magazine, which named Lowery one of the nation's "Fifteen
         Greatest Black Preachers", described him as the "consummate
         voice of biblical social relevancy; a focused prophetic voice
         speaking truth to power". At the 1997 NAACP convention, he
         was hailed as the "dean of the civil rights movement".

When:    Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006 -- A schedule for the event is as
         follows:

         5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. VIP Reception

         6:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.  News conference with Rev. Joseph Lowery

         7 p.m.              "Celebrate the Dream" program begins

         7:30 p.m.           Lowery speaks at event

Why:     To celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Where:   Basilica of St. Mary, 16th and Hennepin Ave., downtown
         Minneapolis. Free tickets to the event are available at
         www.minneapolis.edu or by calling 612-659-6221. Parking is
         free in the MCTC ramp at 15th and Hennepin Ave.

Visuals: The event will provide several visual, photo opportunities
         including the following:

         --  Musical performance by the Twin Cities Community Gospel
             Choir.

         --  Roxane Battle, KARE 11 television reporter, will emcee
             the event.

         --  Lowery speaking passionately to the large crowd of
             people.