HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2003-4603, by Representatives Pettigrew, Clibborn, Moeller, Rockefeller, McIntire, Hudgins, Jarrett, McCoy, Veloria, Condotta, Skinner, Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Armstrong, Bailey, Benson, Berkey, Blake, Boldt, Buck, Bush, Cairnes, Campbell, Carrell, Chandler, Chase, Chopp, Clements, Cody, Conway, Cooper, Cox, Crouse, Darneille, DeBolt, Delvin, Dickerson, Dunshee, Edwards, Eickmeyer, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Gombosky, Grant, Haigh, Hankins, Hatfield, Hinkle, Holmquist, Hunt, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, Mastin, McDermott, McDonald, McMahan, McMorris, Mielke, Miloscia, Morrell, Morris, Murray, Newhouse, Nixon, O'Brien, Orcutt, Pearson, Pflug, Priest, Quall, Roach, Romero, Ruderman, Santos, Schindler, Schoesler, Schual-Berke, Sehlin, Shabro, Simpson, Sommers, Sullivan, Sump, Talcott, Tom, Upthegrove, Wallace, Wood and Woods

     WHEREAS, January 20, 2003, has been designated as the holiday on which we, as a nation, and as a state, remember and honor the life and work of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. King's life and political philosophy advocated the need for men and women to strive to overcome oppression without resorting to violence; and
     WHEREAS, His philosophy of nonviolence and civil disobedience was based on the life and teachings of Mohandas K. Gandhi; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. advanced his goals and principles with determination, faith, dignity, and courage in the face of life-threatening opposition; 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
     WHEREAS, Dr. King raised the consciousness of the nation and of our state to fundamental injustices and inequalities in American society and moved us forward on the long and unfinished road to racial harmony and reconciliation; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a champion of nonviolence, fervently advocated nonviolent resistance as the strategy to end segregation and racial discrimination in America, and was awarded the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. King's untimely death deeply grieved both our nation and the state of Washington; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. King's efforts were 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 work and legacy were further recognized by the state of Washington, which honors his remembrance as a state holiday; and
     WHEREAS, There is still much work to be done in achieving full reconciliation among America's racial, social, and ethnic communities and in creating a color-blind society;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives, on behalf of the people of our state, recognize the importance of the life and work of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to the civil society and freedoms of the United States of America and of the state of Washington; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives call on the people of the state of Washington to study, reflect on, and celebrate Dr. King's life and ideals in order to fulfill his dream of civil and human rights for all people; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor his memory by urging all of the citizens of our state to make Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a day of service - a day on, not a day off.

I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of
Resolution 4603 adopted by the House of Representatives
January 20, 2003

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Cynthia Zehnder, Chief Clerk