HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 98-4677, by Representatives Mason, Robertson, Regala, Hatfield, Poulsen, Conway, Backlund, Chopp, Cooke and Dunn

     WHEREAS, January 19, 1998, has been designated as the holiday in which we, as a nation, remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. devoted his adult life and the life of his family to the pursuit of freedom, justice, and peace in America and the world; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was jailed several times throughout his struggle to bring to all people the opportunity to live free of racial, ethnic, and religious discrimination and violence, and this philosophy of nonviolence is now woven into the fabric of America; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s philosophy of nonviolence was based on the life and value of Mohandas Gandhi.

     WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. set an example of devotion to the principle that all Americans should live free from discrimination and violence; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. King's leadership achievements were acknowledged when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. King's efforts and personal sacrifice were further recognized by the Congress of the United States, which created a permanent federal holiday to commemorate the date of his birth; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. King's efforts are also recognized by the State of Washington, which honors his remembrance as a state holiday; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. King's untimely death deeply grieved both our nation and the State of Washington;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives pause in our endeavors on behalf of the citizens of the State of Washington to commemorate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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

   Resolution 4677 adopted by the House of Representatives

                      January 20, 1998.

              ________________________________

               Timothy A. Martin, Chief Clerk