Mac Farmer, daughter Heidi, and wife Susan at MLK Jr. Hall of Fame Ceremony at the RI Convention Center 01/17/07 Family Service of Rhode Island Board President Inducted into Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Hall of Fame  Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline last night (01/16/07) Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline last night (01/16/07) inducted Family Service of Rhode Island board president Malcolm "Mac" Farmer, III into the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Hall of Fame. The mayor also inducted the late Reverend Dr. Raymond E. Gibson. "At this time of year, we pause to reflect on the legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in advancing social justice, peace and equality, and we recognize the heroes among us who have worked hard to keep his dream alive," said Cicilline.  "The individuals honored here tonight have done just that--and we are deeply grateful for their efforts to improve the lives of others." The honorees and families were presented with engraved crystal bowls; at a later date, their names will be inscribed on a brass plaque mounted in Providence City Hall.  The MLK Hall of Flame plaque includes an inscribed quote by Rev. King: "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." Malcolm Farmer, III, volunteered as an attorney for the Lawyers Constitution Defense Committee and the American Civil Liberties Union in the 1960s, moving to Mississippi to represent some of the civil rights advocates of the time.  He was assaulted and jailed for his work in civil rights, and throughout the 1970s and 1980s remained a staunch advocate for integration, equality and acceptance.  He was the only member of the Providence City Council to oppose a redistricting plan that would have deprived the city's sole black city councilman of a seat.  And he fought to include sexual orientation in the city's anti-discrimination ordinance--making Providence one of the first ever to extend civil rights to gays and lesbians. He is currently a partner at Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP, and president of the board of directors of Family Service of Rhode Island.  Mac Farmer receives the award from Mayor Cicilline Also honored was the late Reverend Dr. Raymond E Gibson, who documented racial housing patterns in the south side of Providence that were discriminatory, and his work led to national legislation.  He also studied the racial composition of several Providence schools and suggested that "separate but not equal" conditions prevailed.  He was the pastor of Central Congregational Church in Providence, and passed away in 2005.  His children accepted the award on his behalf. The program included presentations by Reverend Sharon A. Key, Woodridge Congregational United Church of Christ; Reverend Rebecca Spencer, Central Congregational Church; Barbara Meek of Trinity Repertory Theatre Company; John Britto, of the city's parks department; Mikela Almeida, a student at Classical High School; and Reverend Dr. David Mitchell and the Congdon Street Baptist Church Gospel Chorus. The Congdon Street Baptist Church Gospel Chorus Mayor Cicilline established the MLK Jr. Hall of Fame in 2003 on the 40th anniversary of the March on Washington, and as a means of honoring local men and women for carrying on Dr. King's legacy.   (end)