ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — As Rochester comes together to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monday, healthcare workers, community members, clergy and more with the local 1199 Union celebrated at Strong Memorial Hospital in the Class of '62 Auditorium. The union told News 8 Monday that before his death, Dr. King said 1199 was his favorite union, calling it the "authentic conscience of the labor movement." "There are a lot of challenges that are still out there that are in our community, in our country, in our state that we have to pay attention to and treat as a high priority," said Tracey Harrison, area vice president of 1199SEIU. "Mental health, high poverty, all of these sorts of things are on the rise. Young, old and everything in between. It's going to be extremely important, if in fact we're looking for change, we're going to have to pour into that collectively." Kodak Hall fills with music, praise in honor of MLK Special guests included elected officials, dance groups, poets and this year's keynote speaker, Rochester City Court Judge Van Henri White.