HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 94-4677, by Representatives Caver, Veloria, J. Kohl, Orr, G. Cole, Patterson, Johanson, Appelwick, Rust, Roland, Romero, L. Johnson, Conway, Campbell, R. Meyers, Dorn, Leonard, Zellinsky, Carlson, Wang, Bray, Tate, Mielke, Rayburn, King, Eide, Lemmon, Edmondson, Casada and Anderson

            WHEREAS, January 17, 1994, is the observance of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday as both a federal holiday and Washington state legal holiday; and

            WHEREAS, We, the members of the House of Representatives, are honored to pay tribute to what would have been the 65th birthday of Dr. King, who set an example of world leadership for all of us to follow; and

            WHEREAS, Dr. King demonstrated his love of mankind by devoting his life to fighting discrimination and violence and by endeavoring to help all human beings live in freedom and with dignity; and

            WHEREAS, Dr. King taught America that the choice was not between violence and nonviolence, but nonviolence and nonexistence; and

            WHEREAS, Dr. King was internationally acclaimed and awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his leadership in and dedication to achieving economic, educational, and social equality for all persons; and

            WHEREAS, This nobel laureate by his memory continually reminds us to fulfill his dream, a dream depicting a world of human equality and global peace; and

            WHEREAS, This great American champion of the oppressed was assassinated while espousing his principles of pacifism, and the assassination deeply grieved every citizen of this nation; and

            WHEREAS, The Congress of the United States has honored Dr. King by creating a permanent federal holiday to commemorate the anniversary of his birth; and

            WHEREAS, The Washington State legislature has seen fit to honor this man as has the Congress and other states by declaring his birthday a legal, paid state and school holiday; and

            WHEREAS, We applaud the television and newspaper community for launching the annual media celebration of Dr. King's life and legacy; and

            WHEREAS, We urge more Washington corporations and businesses to join the nation and our state in commemorating the holiday;

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That on this day, we, the members of the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, pause in our endeavors to pay homage to one of America's most honorable and honored citizens, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in order to call to the attention of all Washingtonians Dr. King's wisdom and accomplishments and to rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of his principles; and

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives transmit a copy of this resolution to the various organizations throughout the state which are dedicated to the achievement of racial equality and nonviolence.

                                             I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

                                        Resolution 4677 adopted by the House of Representatives

                                                                       January 17, 1993.

                                                    ________________________________

                                                            Marilyn Showalter, Chief Clerk