Wrap: Unlike Wednesday's 50th anniversary celebration in Washington D.C., Missouri's March on Washington tribute followed the original in a significant way.

During a ceremony on the state Capitol front steps, no elected officials were among the speakers. That's similar to half-a-century ago when no government officials spoke at the march.

Back then, many elected officials were openly hostile to civil rights. As biographies of President John. F Kennedy allege, they were fearful of voicing their support for the movement.

This year, Washington's tribute had only a few elected government officials listed as speakers, including Congressman John Lewis, the only living speaker at the original event.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Ellie Coatar...Newsradio 1120, KMOX.