WHEREAS, Today we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose moral courage, visionary leadership, and compassionate spirit have inspired generations and forever changed the world; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. King once wisely said, "An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity"; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. King's example of dealing with the things that divide us along racial and cultural lines is one that we would do well to emulate today; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. King and his followers helped change the status quo through nonviolent means, with peaceful protest and demonstration; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. King's message of peaceful perseverance in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles to equality is still a source of inspiration and hope for many Americans; and
     WHEREAS, In his life, Dr. King called on others to make a personal commitment to serve humanity by helping the less fortunate, uniting as a global family, and acting with kindness and compassion; and
     WHEREAS, Service is a powerful way to commemorate not only the words and deeds of Dr. King, but to translate our reverence for his life and teachings into action to make 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 his or her commitment to making life better for all through service rendered to each other; and
     WHEREAS, Residents of Washington can help make service the common duty of all Americans on this holiday by making it a day of action, not apathy;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the members of the Washington State Senate, on behalf of the people of the State of Washington, do, in recognition of the monumental leadership and courage demonstrated by Martin Luther King, Jr., honor his memory by urging all citizens of our state to make Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a day of service to our communities; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the members of the Washington State Senate honor Dr. King's commitment to bringing all people, regardless of race, creed, religion, or station in life, together to work towards a more civil, equal, and just society. Dr. King's legacy and message of peace should not only be remembered, but also replicated today and for generations to come.