WHEREAS, Today, the third Monday in January, we remember and honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a beacon of hope for equality in our nation; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. King revealed the realities of life for many Americans and encouraged change through nonviolent means; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. King's unwavering support for the principles of racial justice and social equality changed America; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. King's steadfast faith encouraged others, as exemplified in his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, in which he said, "With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope"; and
     WHEREAS, In his life, Dr. King called on others to make a personal commitment to serve humanity by acting with kindness and compassion to help the less fortunate; and
     WHEREAS, Service is a powerful way to commemorate Dr. King and put into action our reverence for his life and teachings while making our nation better; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. King believed that a person's worth should not be measured by his or her color, culture, or class, but rather by one's commitment to making life better for all;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate, on behalf of the people of the state of Washington, and in recognition of the courageous leadership and legacy of hope demonstrated by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., honor his memory by urging all citizens of our state to continue the legacy of Dr. King by treating all people as equal.