HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2016-4649, by Representatives Chopp, Kristiansen, Appleton, Bergquist, Blake, Buys, Caldier, Chandler, Clibborn, Cody, Condotta, DeBolt, Dent, Dunshee, Dye, Farrell, Fey, Fitzgibbon, Frame, Goodman, Gregerson, Griffey, Haler, Hansen, Hargrove, Harmsworth, Harris, Hawkins, Hayes, Hickel, Holy, Hudgins, G. Hunt, S. Hunt, Hurst, Jinkins, Johnson, Kagi, Kilduff, Kirby, Klippert, Kochmar, Kretz, Kuderer, Lytton, MacEwen, Magendanz, Manweller, McBride, McCabe, McCaslin, Moeller, Morris, Moscoso, Muri, Nealey, Orcutt, Ormsby, Ortiz-Self, Orwall, Parker, Peterson, Pettigrew, Pike, Pollet, Reykdal, Riccelli, Robinson, Rodne, Rossetti, Ryu, Santos, Sawyer, Schmick, Scott, Sells, Senn, Shea, Short, Smith, Springer, Stambaugh, Stanford, Stokesbary, Sullivan, Tarleton, Taylor, Tharinger, Van De Wege, Van Werven, Vick, Walkinshaw, Walsh, Wilcox, Wilson, Wylie, Young, and Zeiger

WHEREAS, Today, January 18, 2016, the people of the great State of Washington and the nation join together to rejoice and honor the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Dr. King vehemently endorsed the virtues of compassion and equality and bravely shared his vision with America in our nation's capital by 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, His belief in equality and opportunity for all was not restricted to the cessation of racial injustice, but also extended to the necessity of economic justice for all people, so that all may live free of the afflictions of poverty; and

WHEREAS, Dr. King propelled the truths of segregation and racial injustice to the forefront of American conversation at dinner tables across the country, helping to bring an end to unjust laws, and fulfilling the promise of a democracy for every American; and

WHEREAS, The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 became law thanks to the blood, sweat, and tears shed by Dr. King and his supporters from every community in the United States; and

WHEREAS, We remember Dr. King's steadfast commitment to the ideals of impartiality and opportunity for all in the face of tyranny, cruelty, and mistreatment by those in power; and

WHEREAS, Dr. King's legacy has encouraged Americans long after his assassination to honor him still, posthumously bestowing him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977, and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2004; and

WHEREAS, We continue to look toward Dr. King's experiences and teachings as we tackle the concerns of achieving complete racial, social, and economic justice for all Washingtonians;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives, on behalf of the people of the State of Washington, recognize and honor the life and work of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his commitment to a just and free world; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives call on the people of the State of Washington to join us in reflecting on Dr. King's life and ideals and to seek to fulfill his dream of equality and opportunity for all people.