Vincent G. Harding was a historian, educator, organizer and author of nine books including Hope and History: Why We Must Share the Story of the Movement. A close friend and confidant of Martin Luther King, Jr. Harding wrote speeches for Dr. King including his “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence”. A co-founder of the National Council of Elders, Dr. Harding shared his primary goals for the Council: “… to make available to a young generation whatever we could share of our long experience in working for a ‘more perfect Union.’