CORE's Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Award

Chairman of the event, Executive Vice President of Pfizer, Inc., Rich Bagger

Keynote Speaker, H.E. John Bolton, US Ambassador to the United Nations

Ambassador Bolton speaks to the media at the pre-event press conference

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour accepts award on behalf of the citizen of the State of Mississippi

Governor Barbour speaks about the tremendous progress Mississippi has made in the area of Civil Rights

Superstar entertainer Usher Raymond III received CORE's MLK Award for "Outstanding Acheivement" and for being a positive role model for our youth

Usher poses with his mother, Jonetta Patton and CORE Chairman Roy Innis

Usher and Innis shares a laugh during a light moment in the program

During his remarks, Usher brought the audience to its feet with an impromptu impersonation of Stevie Wonder singing "Happy Birthday" to Dr. King

Usher spoke about the importance of positive role models for our youth and announced the formation of his "New Look" Foundation to promote that cause

Usher's mom, Jonetta Patton, was caught totally by surprise when she was presented with a CORE award for being a positive role model for mothers.

The Marian Anderson String Quartet performed and received a CORE MLK Holiday Award for "Outstanding Acheivement"

(l-r) Pfizer V.P., Rich Bagger; Roy Innis; Mississippi Governor, Haley Barbour; NRA Executive V.P., Wayne LaPierre and radio personality, Barry Farber

Ghana's Ambassador to the United Nations

Diva Mel'isa Morgan performed "Lift Every Voice & Sing"

The New York Troup of the USO performed the "National Anthem"

Usher and fellow recording artist, Zapata, from the hit latino recording group, Projecto Uno