[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 86 (Friday, June 26, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7240-S7241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., MEMORIAL

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I join with my distinguished colleague 
from Maryland, Mr. Sarbanes, and all Senators last night for the 
unanimous-consent passage of an important piece of legislation 
authorizing the placement of a Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial in 
area I of the capital of the greatest country in the world, right here 
in Washington, DC.
  Mr. President, I rise to applaud the passage of this important 
legislation authorizing the placement of a Martin Luther King, Jr., 
Memorial in Area I of the Capital.
  I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Senator Sarbanes 
and Congresswoman Morella for the leadership they have both shown over 
the years we have worked together on legislation authorizing the 
establishment of a Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial.
  In 1996, Congress passed and the President signed legislation, also 
sponsored by Senator Sarbanes and myself, authorizing the Alpha Phi 
Alpha Fraternity, the oldest predominately African-American fraternity 
in the United States, to establish without cost to the Federal 
Government a memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr., in the District of 
Columbia.
  Mr. Chairman, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity wishes to honor Dr. King 
with a memorial in the Nation's Capital as tangible recognition of his 
remarkable role in the history of our nation. Dr. King's message of 
nonviolence and freedom for all should be passed from generation to 
generation. A memorial in his name will be effective in helping us 
reach this important goal.
  The legislation establishes the memorial in Area I, which consists of 
the Mall and environs. As you know, the Department of Interior, after 
consult with the National Capital Memorial Commission, transmitted its 
formal recommendation that the memorial be located in Area I in a 
letter to the President of the Senate dated January 29, 1998.
  Requirements contained in the Commemorative Works Act stipulate that 
the Department of Interior's recommendation regarding location of a 
memorial in Area I shall be disapproved if not enacted into law within 
150 days of its transmittal to Congress. Therefore it was critical that 
the Senate consider and pass this legislation prior to that deadline.
  I would like to add two personal reminiscences that I have about Dr. 
King. By coincidence largely, I was within the vicinity of the Lincoln 
Memorial when he delivered his historic address. I do recall vividly 
the long line of marchers coming to and from that historic event.
  Somewhat later in life, I was privileged to serve on the governing 
board of the Washington Cathedral. The subject came up as to whether or 
not he would be invited to preach in the Washington Cathedral. And I 
remember very well the board meeting. I was present and with others 
cast my vote such that he could come to that magnificent edifice which 
is on the highest promontory of the Nation's Capital to deliver his 
last and most historic sermon.

[[Page S7241]]

  So I am deeply moved. But I have played a modest role in seeing that 
another very fitting memorial be dedicated to that American of 
extraordinary accomplishment.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I want to amend one thing that the 
distinguished Senator from Virginia said. I think he referred to his 
role here as a ``modest role.'' But he really was very pivotal in 
helping us to get this legislation enacted last night.
  The Secretary of the Interior determined that the Martin Luther King 
statue, which is going to be placed in the District of Columbia in 
memory of Martin Luther King, would be put in the prime area, which is 
the Mall and the surrounding areas. That determination needed the 
approval of the Congress. Senator Warner and I joined together in the 
Senate, along with Congresswoman Morella, who led the effort in the 
House, in order to bring this about.
  We will now have a statue in the District in a fairly short time. The 
money will be raised privately by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. But 
it will stand as a tribute to what Martin Luther King, Jr. represented, 
which, in my judgment, was a commitment to achieving change through 
nonviolence--a very important lesson. Martin Luther King, Jr. clearly 
worked within the framework of a democratic society. He sought very 
significant and substantial change. He sought to make the Nation live 
up to its ideals. But he was committed in doing it in a nonviolent way.
  I think that is a very important lesson for all Americans.
  I, like the Senator from Virginia, have personal memories. I was at 
the Reflecting Pool the day he gave the ``I Have a Dream'' speech, when 
he stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and, of course, that 
speech had a tremendous impact on American society then and continues 
to have a tremendous impact.
  So I am very glad that this matter has been moved forward now. All of 
the legislation that is now necessary is in place, and now we look 
forward to going ahead and we look forward to, at sometime in the not 
too distant future, a ground breaking and, sometime thereafter, a 
dedication.
  I express again my deep appreciation to the distinguished senior 
Senator from Virginia for his efforts in this regard.
  Mr. KERRY addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Massachusetts.
  Mr. WARNER. Could I just simply add my thanks to my colleague. We 
were full partners on it. And, indeed, I did not know that the Senator 
likewise was at the historic speech. It shows you how interesting life 
can be.
  I thank the Chair, and I thank my colleague.
  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I understand we are in morning business?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. We are, with remarks limited to 10 minutes.
  Mr. KERRY. I thank the Chair.

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