A HUNDRED YEARS AGO, A GREAT AMERICAN, IN WHOSE SYMBOLIC SHADOW WE STAND TODAY, SIGNED THE EMANCIPATION ACT. THIS MOMENTOUS DECREE CAME AS THE LIGHT OF HOPE OF A GREAT LIGHTHOUSE FOR MILLIONS OF BLACK SLAVES MARKED BY THE FIRE OF A BITTER INJUSTICE. HE ARRIVED LIKE A JOYFUL DAWN AT THE END OF THE LONG NIGHT OF THEIR CAPTIVITY.