BySenators Nobles, Lovick, Billig, Boehnke, Braun, Cleveland, Conway, Dhingra, Frame, Gildon, Hasegawa, Hawkins, Kauffman, Keiser, King, Kuderer, Lovelett, MacEwen, Mullet, Muzzall, Pedersen, Randall, Rivers, Robinson, Rolfes, Saldaña, Salomon, Schoesler, Shewmake, Short, Stanford, Torres, Valdez, Warnick, Wellman, C. Wilson, J. Wilson, and L. Wilson

WHEREAS, Today, the third Monday in January, we remember and honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who became a beacon of hope for actualizing racial equality in our nation; and

WHEREAS, Dr. King used his gift of oration to awaken America to the struggles of disenfranchised communities, particularly African-Americans, through nonviolent means; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., encouraged others through his dedication to achieving equality. He once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?"; and

WHEREAS, Dr. King believed that a person's worth should be measured not 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, We mourn the loss of former Black and African American senators who not only tirelessly served in the Legislature, but paved the way for many to follow in their paths; and

WHEREAS, Dr. King's unwavering support for the principles of racial justice and social equality helped transform America; and

WHEREAS, Black communities have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic and its continuing effects; and

WHEREAS, In 2020, an immense public outcry and movement that followed the police killing of George Floyd – a Black man – continues to call for immediate actions toward eliminating systemic racism and police brutality; and

WHEREAS, Dr. King's steadfast pursuit of fairness encouraged others, as exemplified in his famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail," in which he said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.";

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate, 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 condemning racism in all its forms and advancing a more perfect union where all people experience fair treatment under our laws.