Hank Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of The March on Washington

Statement

Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) attended a White House reception on August 27 and on August 28, President Barack Obama's address at the Lincoln Memorial in honor of the 50th anniversary of The March on Washington.

President Obama spoke during the "Let Freedom Ring Call to Action" commemoration hosted by the King Center, signaling a nationwide bell-ringing that capped off the week-long celebration.

Rep. Johnson just started the fourth-grade at an elementary school in Washington, D.C., when Dr. King rose to deliver "I Have a Dream" on Aug. 28, 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

"It's an honor to be here on such an auspicious and historic occasion with President Obama and all my Congressional colleagues," said Rep. Johnson. "I was just eight years old when Dr. King spoke in 1963. Clearly, we've made great progress but there is still much work to be done."

"The legacy of discrimination has left an economic gap between whites and blacks but the Civil Rights Movement's push for equality has spread to Hispanics, gays, immigrants and many others. The arc of justice seems to get a little better with each passing generation, as we all stand on the shoulders of the great leaders and visionaries who lead the March on Washington 50 years ago."

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