WHEREAS, Today, January 21, 2013, we join with the people of the
state of Washington and throughout our nation in celebration, and in
reflection, of the life and legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr.; and
WHEREAS, We recall Dr. King's words almost half a century ago when
he stood bravely in our nation's capital, in the shadow of the Lincoln
Memorial, a magnificent tribute to the Great Emancipator, and
articulated to all Americans a bold vision, declaring, "I have a dream
that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of
its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal"; and
WHEREAS, We remember Dr. King's courageous words and his unwavering
commitment in the face of tyranny and oppression; in abuse and
incarceration; and we thank him for his sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, Dr. King's work, and the mere mention of his name, are
synonymous with peace and equality; and
WHEREAS, He received the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1964, the
youngest man to ever be selected for this singular honor; and
WHEREAS, Dr. King and his followers helped change the status quo
through nonviolent means, with protests at lunch counters and a march
on Selma; and
WHEREAS, Dr. King helped bring an overdue end to segregation in
America and a new beginning for our nation, thereby fulfilling the
promise of a democracy for every American. The Civil Rights Act of
1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 became law because of the blood
and tears shed, and the sweat invested, by Dr. King and his multitude
of followers representing every community and every neighborhood of our
great land; and
WHEREAS, Best known for leading the action and movement to halt
racial injustice, Dr. King is also justly renowned for organizing the
"Poor People's Campaign" to address and overcome issues of economic
injustice; and
WHEREAS, Americans continue to honor and find inspiration in his
work long after assassination took him from his family and from his
country in 1968, awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in
1977, and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2004; and
WHEREAS, We wonder what Dr. King would think today as we stand here
on the eve of history, as our first African-American president readies
to be sworn in for a second term; and
WHEREAS, We reflect on how far we have come and how far we still
must travel. We contemplate what Dr. King's dream means for a new
generation of dreamers;
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 honor Dr.
King's memory by remembering that we, too, must remain resolute in our
own pursuit of his dream of justice and equality for all people.