Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Assassination of Dr. Marting Luther King, Jr.

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of the assassination of one of the most prominent leaders of the American Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King made the ultimate sacrifice advocating for civil rights when he was assassinated on this day 40 years ago while standing on the balcony of his motel room in Memphis, Tennessee. His untimely death gives our nation impetus to realize the dream he espoused, and carry on his legacy.

Dr. King fought to raise the moral and political consciousness of all Americans. As a Baptist preacher, philosopher, and activist, he was most interested in creating a world where he could peacefully and righteously raise his own children. He was passionate about ending poverty and war, both in this country and abroad. Though he is revered for his role within the African American community, he believed that the struggle he led was ultimately for the liberation of the United States and all those who believed in freedom. In this time of global uncertainty and conflict, his wisdom and foresight should resonate with us all.

I would like to share an excerpt from his speech given on April 4, 1967 at a meeting of Clergy and Laity Concerned at Riverside Church in New York City:

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"Somehow this madness must cease. We must stop now. I speak as a child of God and brother to the suffering poor of Vietnam. I speak for those whose land is being laid waste, whose homes are being destroyed, whose culture is being subverted. I speak for the poor of America who are paying the double price of smashed hopes at home and death and corruption in Vietnam. I speak as a citizen of the world, for the world as it stands aghast at the path we have taken. I speak as an American to the leaders of my own nation. The great initiative in this war is ours. The initiative to stop it must be ours.......

The only change came from America as we increased our troop commitments in support of governments which were singularly corrupt, inept and without popular support. All the while the people read our leaflets and received regular promises of peace and democracy--and land reform. Now they languish under our bombs and consider us--not their fellow Vietnamese --the real enemy.''

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Dr. King believed in our collective potential to stand for justice and peace everywhere. On this day, we honor his life and legacy by protecting his dream, and living up to our inherent potential.

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