McCollum Statement on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2019

Statement

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed on Monday, January 21, 2019.

"The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is rooted in recognizing and championing the inherent rights and dignity of all Americans; all people. As we celebrate the teachings and leadership of this great American, we must confront the fact that dark forces -- bigotry, racism, homophobia, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and anti-immigrant policies -- are alive and surging in our country. For instance, last week my U.S. House colleagues and I voted to reject white supremacy in ideology and action because of comments made by a Republican member, which were not unlike comments made in the past by the President.

Dr. King also fought for the dignity of workers to be paid fairly and treated with respect. And yet today, more than 800,000 federal workers are being treated as political pawns during this partial government shutdown. For the past 31 days, the dignity and respect federal workers deserve for their service has been shamefully disregarded. As their families face economic hardship, I will continue to vote to open the federal government, pay federal employees, and express my gratitude for their service. This is a civil rights issue that demands action.

Today and every day, our nation must remain committed to living out the lessons Dr. King prescribed: to be engaged in all levels of civic life; to advocate for voting rights, civil liberties, and healthcare; to speak up and defend our fellow Americans against bigotry and discrimination; and to pursue equality and justice for all."

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