The Rev. Harold Cobb, the annual organizer of the event, introduced the I Have a Dream Award by painting a mental picture of Covington in 1953. Segregation permeated every segment of life, from restaurants to schools. Streets in black neighborhoods remained unpaved and blacks were not allowed to enter the Covington and Porterdale mills except for work. That was also the year Tommy Hailey was born.

"But something happened in 1953 that would change Newton County forever. Through a child, hear me now, born in Porterdale, educated in the Newton County School System," Cobb said. "He went off to college and returned with an education and a vision. He began to work this vision in the only way that God would allow him. Because he, too, had a vision that little white boys and girls and little black boys and girls would play together in organized sports. He used what was segregated and integrated, the hearts of the children first, thus changing the minds of the parents."

Cobb also spoke of Hailey’s efforts to bring a Miracle League field to Newton County to allow disabled children a place to play baseball. For all of those reasons, Hailey was recognized as a "citizen of Newton County whose caring and concern has kept Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s dream alive."

"I came here thinking I was just going to set a presentation up," Hailey said. "Rev. Cobb was one of the reasons I came back; he was at the time on the Board of Commissioners, through their vote and their ability to hire me. I thank him for that, and I will never forget that.

"I want to just say thank you to the (selection) committee too, for your vision and foresight to keep Dr. King’s legacy and work here in Newton County going. As we celebrate his birthday today, I’m humbled by receiving this award, and I know he’s looking down today at this celebration and saying ‘Great job Newton County, great job.’ Thank you. I’ll always cherish this."

The MLK Trailblazer Award is given to recognize "a citizen or agency in Newton County that succeeded in making a difference in the lives of its citizenry" said the Rev. Billy Wade, of the First Presbyterian Church of Covington.