[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 19, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S309-S310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, the issue I specifically want to 
address this morning, more than just our legislative agenda, is 
something that we celebrated yesterday, and that is the tribute to Rev. 
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the celebration we had yesterday, on 
January 18, when we once again paused to remember Dr. King, a man who 
changed the course of history and America's conscience. Dr. King is one 
of the few individuals throughout history who has so nobly exemplified 
the principles of sacrificial love and devotion.
  Yesterday, in Kansas, I attended two Dr. King celebrations, one in 
Topeka and one in Kansas City, and both full of people rededicating 
themselves to the life of Dr. King and what he had committed himself to 
and what he had done. Dr. King dedicated his life to the advancement of 
individuals in need. He selflessly gave of his time and energy--and his 
life--in order to bring this country to a higher moral plateau. Dr.

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King suggested that we should not, as he stated, ``judge success by the 
index of our salaries or the size of our automobiles, but rather . . . 
by the quality of our service and relationship to humanity.''
  In keeping with that vision, it is not enough to discuss how we can 
foster change within our communities. We must act and become involved 
in our communities the way Dr. King involved himself in the late 1950s 
and throughout the 1960s.
  This year, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday observance theme was 
``Remember! Celebrate! Act! A day on, not a day off!!'' I cannot think 
of a better way to honor Dr. King's memory than taking part in our 
local communities and extending our help to those in need.
  I am particularly pleased that Kansas organizations are working to 
honor Dr. King's memory by their outstanding work in their communities. 
I regularly visit different charity organizations throughout the State 
of Kansas, such as the Grace Center, which is a home for unwed mothers, 
and Bread of Life, which is an inner-city church that is leading 
community revitalization by partnering with schools and neighborhood 
organizations to provide scholastic, mentoring, and bible study 
programs. It is through this important work that we truly demonstrate 
the sacrificial love required to achieve Dr. King's ``Dream'' of an 
equal society.
  Likewise, in order to realize Dr. King's ``Dream'' we must constantly 
work to improve our communities. Dr. King suggested that we will one 
day live in a society that encompasses all the principles for which he 
fought so hard and valiantly on April 3, 1968, the day before Dr. 
King's tragic death, he gave the following speech:

       I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult 
     days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now, because I've 
     been to the mountain top. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I 
     would like to live a long life; longevity has its place. But 
     I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's 
     will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've 
     looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get 
     there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we as a 
     people will get to the Promised Land. And I'm happy tonight, 
     I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine 
     eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the lord.

  The day before.
  Let us keep pressing up the mountain. We are not in the Promised Land 
yet. We must keep his faith and his wisdom for our future.
  We need to return to those basic values, which Dr. King promoted. 
Those values are work, family, and most important, the recognition of a 
higher moral authority. Only through those qualities will we become a 
nation truly worthy of Dr. King's legacy. Quoting again from Dr. King:

       The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in 
     moments of comfort and convenience, but . . . at times of 
     challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his 
     position, his prestige, and even his life for the welfare of 
     others.

  Indeed, Dr. King exemplified these qualities in his life. We should 
all join me in continuing his legacy.
  So, as we start this legislative session on the day after we honor 
Dr. King, let us keep his principles in mind as we press forward in 
this Nation to the promised land.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  Mr. DURBIN addressed the Chair
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I yield 10 minutes to the Senator from the 
State of Washington, Senator Murray.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington.

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