Observing The Birthday Of Martin Luther King, Jr.--
Floor Speech
OBSERVING THE BIRTHDAY OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. -- (House of Representatives - January 21, 2009)
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Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, this is a moment to pause as we speak on the floor of the House in this enormously symbolic year, a very special time to honor Dr. Martin Luther King.
I would like to thank my chairman, John Conyers, for the role he has played, both in the fact that Dr. King saw fit to endorse him in his first run for Congress out of the great city of Detroit; he probably envisioned a man that would be a fighter for justice, and he has not been disappointed. My colleagues have just listened to John Lewis, who remains the conscience of this Nation and of this Congress. Oh how he must have felt yesterday as he saw the continuum of a dream.
I stand here as a former staffer of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, having had the opportunity to work under the tutelage of the soldiers, the foot soldiers of Dr. Martin Luther King, being reminded of traveling up and down Auburn, and finding that almost storefront building that represented and embodied all of the cerebral thought, all of the brain power, all of the love, all of the courage, all of the strength of those who found guidance in Dr. King. And so this is a particularly important resolution, for many have asked those of us who look like me whether or not the dream has been completed.
I will say that there is a man that now sits in the White House who holds the dream, and he has given us our roadmap. And that roadmap is that we are in this together, that we are the wind beneath his wings, that America has always been and should be a One America. And we are reminded of Dr. King's words in 1963, where he talked about not looking at anyone for their color or their religion. Isn't this great and wonderful that we have now come full circle to have the words and his dreaming come to a point where we are now comfortable with not looking at each other by the color of our skin or our ethnicity.
And so, yes, the dream is continuing. But Dr. Martin Luther King, and the reason I rise today, was a prophet in his time. For many, they are not used to using that term. He told us about economic hard times and the desire to give everyone an opportunity for education and their day in the sun and the economic opportunity, and look at us today. Our President is now trying to lead us in the message of Dr. King; that as long as anyone suffers, any of our brothers and sisters are not able to have food on the table or a job, to look into the bright future, to give a child a chance to be an astronaut or a president or a teacher, then Dr. King's dream must continue.
And as I have talked to Martin Luther King III and visited with the sister of Dr. King and the daughter of Dr. King, they agree that we are in this fight together; that the Judiciary Committee has its role in this Congress to ensure that the rule of law is followed, that we torture no more.
Oh what a great day yesterday was and the day before, the commemoration of Dr. King's birthday. But isn't it greater now that America stands one and united, not off in the shopping centers on his birthday, but now understanding what it truly meant that those who suffered and bled did not do so for themselves, but honestly did so, so that all of my friends, from Texas and Georgia and New York and Mississippi and Washington State, Michigan and Illinois, and the deep parts of Georgia and, yes, Texas could look at each other as friends, brothers and sisters, even our sisters and brothers who yet have not learned the English language but they are striving to become a great part of this great Nation. So I am celebrating this resolution that recounts the history of Dr. King.
Madam Speaker, isn't it great that we end that this is one Nation, one America, and Dr. King told us so.
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution supporting the observation of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and encouraging the people of the United States to observe the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I thank my colleague Representative JOHN LEWIS for authoring this resolution. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution also.
Madam Speaker, a few days ago, the Nation observed for the 21st time the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Each year this day is set aside for Americans to celebrate the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America. The Martin Luther King holiday reminds us that nothing is impossible when we are guided by the better angels of our nature. We must continue to recognize the life and legacy of Dr. King. We must continue to honor his legacy by serving on the day that we have set aside to observe his life.
Dr. King's inspiring words filled a great void in our Nation, and answered our collective longing to become a country that truly lived by its noblest principles. Yet, Dr. King knew that it wasn't enough just to talk the talk; he knew he had to walk the walk for his words to be credible. And so we commemorate on this holiday the man of action, who put his life on the line for freedom and justice everyday.
Every January 19th, this Nation honors the courage of a man who endured harassment, threats and beatings, and even bombings. We commemorate the man who went to jail 29 times to achieve freedom for others, and who knew he would pay the ultimate price for his leadership, but kept on marching and protesting and organizing anyway.
Dr. King once said that we all have to decide whether we ``will walk in the light of creative altruism or the darkness of destructive selfishness. Life's most persistent and nagging question, he said, is `what are you doing for others?' ''
When Martin talked about the end of his mortal life in one of his last sermons, on February 4, 1968, in the pulpit of Ebenezer Baptist Church, even then he lifted up the value of service as the hallmark of a full life. ``I'd like somebody to mention on that day Martin Luther King, Jr. tried to give his life serving others,'' he said. ``I want you to say on that day, that I did try in my life ..... to love and serve humanity.''
Madam Speaker, during these difficult days when the United States is bogged down in a misguided and mismanaged war in Iraq; calamities on Wall Street--Main Street--and in the American automobile industry; we should also remember that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was above all, a person who was always willing to serve to help his fellow man.
This year thousands of Americans across the country will celebrate the national holiday honoring the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. by making the holiday ``a day on, not a day off.''
The King Day of Service is a way to transform Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and teachings into community service that helps solve social problems. That service may meet a tangible need, such as fixing up a school or senior center, or it may meet a need of the spirit, such as building a sense of community or mutual responsibility. On this day, Americans of every age and background celebrate Dr. King through service projects that:
Strengthen Communities--Dr. King recognized the power of service to strengthen communities and achieve common goals. Through his words and example, Dr. King challenged individuals to take action and lift up their neighbors and communities through service.
Empower Individuals--Dr. King believed each individual possessed the power to lift himself or herself up no matter what his or her circumstances--rich or poor, black or white, man or woman. Whether teaching literacy skills, helping an older adult surf the Web, or helping an individual build the skills they need to acquire a job, acts of service can help others improve their own lives while doing so much for those who serve, as well.
Bridge Barriers--In his fight for civil rights, Dr. King inspired Americans to think beyond themselves, look past differences, and work toward equality. Serving side by side, community service bridges barriers between people and teaches us that in the end, we are more alike than we are different.
These ideas of unity, purpose, and the great things that can happen when we work together toward a common goal--are just some of the many reasons we honor Dr. King through service on this special holiday. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation and the man who epitomized community service--Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Just yesterday, January 20, 2009, this Nation witnessed a historic moment. We stood in awe and watched the inauguration of this Nation's first African American President. We have come a long way since Dr. King's ``I Have a Dream'' speech. Yesterday, we have seen another part of the ``dream'' fulfilled. I am hopeful and expectant that America's future will be bright, and that it will be even brighter under the helm and leadership of President Barack Obama. President Obama has taught us that yes we can! I am delighted to be living the dream.
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