Photo by Scott Ableman

After plenty of controversy over a quote along one side of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Secretary of the Interior Kenneth Salazar has instructed the National Park Service to go about changing it. Reports the Post:

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar told The Post today that the quote will be corrected. He has given the National Park Service 30 days — because “things only happen when you put a deadline on it” — to consult with the King Memorial Foundation, family members and other interested parties and come up with a more accurate alternative.

“This is important because Dr. King and his presence on the Mall is a forever presence for the United States of America, and we have to make sure that we get it right,” Salazar said.

As it stands, the quote reads: “I was a drum major for justice, peace and righteousness.” Soon after the memorial was opened to the public last year, though, critics were quick to point out that not only did King not really say that, but the paraphrasing of what he did say made him sound like an “arrogant twit,” as Maya Angelou famously wrote.

Salazar’s decision comes just as the District readies itself for a long weekend; Monday is the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. And for the first time since 2004, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade will return to the District.