[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 124 (Thursday, August 25, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 25, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 THIRD ANNUAL WEEK OF UNITY IN CHICAGO

  Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. President, it is an honor for me to offer my 
most sincere congratulations to the city of Chicago and the Commission 
on Human Relations as you proclaim a Week of Unity in Chicago. I 
applaud the efforts of all the organizers and participants as they 
focus special attention on the importance of uniting people of all 
races, religions, and ethnic backgrounds. It is true that our country's 
strength lies in its diversity, and our democracy grows stronger as 
more of us participate.
  I have known for years that Chicago is one of the world's greatest 
cities. And, just one of the things that makes Chicago so great is its 
wide variety of cultures, and that wonderful diversity is a 
characteristic to be cherished, not feared.
  The history of a people is the repository of collective memory, the 
touchstone of family, culture and tradition. And it is this history 
that binds all of us together. The history of our collective unity is 
the single most important thing that we can offer to our children the 
most precious gift we can give to those who will be our future.
  On Tuesday of this week President Clinton signed into law a bill I 
cosponsored, the Martin Luther King Jr., Holiday and Service Act of 
1993. The bill is designed to turn the holiday honoring Dr. King into a 
day of community service, a day ``on,'' not a day ``off.''
  It is fitting that the President signed the King Holiday and Service 
Act into law at the same time that Chicago is celebrating its Week of 
Unity. Dr. King's life was dedicated to fighting for justice and 
equality not just for African Americans or the poor, but for all 
Americans. He shared with us his dream of a society where the doors of 
opportunity and prosperity were closed to no one, and he challenged us 
to make that dream a reality.
  Dr. King also taught us that our diversity was our strength, not our 
weakness. He stood and worked against prejudice, discrimination and 
hate in all its forms. And in the end, he gave us our most potent 
weapon with which to fight the evils of poverty, prejudice, and 
discrimination: a belief in the inherent goodness and dignity of every 
human being. As Dr. King told us so many years ago,

       Everyone can be great because everyone can serve. You don't 
     have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to 
     make your subject and verb agree to serve * * * You only need 
     a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. And you can 
     be a servant.

  The city of Chicago is to be commended for carrying out the 
unfinished work of Dr. King. By proclaiming its Week of Unity, Chicago 
is serving as a role model and creating an environment of respect and 
harmony among the diverse people of our city. The city is working to 
assure every resident that he or she is a welcomed and valued member of 
the community.
  This Week of Unity in Chicago reflects the best of America. I salute 
the citizens of my hometown for their commitment to a strong city and a 
strong America.

                          ____________________