Top Mass. officials expected at MLK Breakfast

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Credit Yoichi R. Okamoto / White House Press Office

President Lyndon B. Johnson and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. meet at the White House, 1966

BOSTON (AP) — One of the highlights of the state's civic and political calendar is scheduled for this week as elected officials, activists, clergy and others gather for Boston's annual breakfast honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

It's the 43rd annual hosting of the breakfast.

This year the Monday morning event is scheduled to take place on the same day that President Barack Obama will be sworn in for his second term in Washington.

The breakfast typically draws the state's top political figures.

This year, however, Gov. Deval Patrick is planning to be in Washington for Obama's inaugural. Patrick is a strong supporter and friend of Obama.

The governor formed his own political action committee to pay for him to travel around the country last year campaigning for the president.