[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 16 (Thursday, January 28, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1086-S1087]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself and Mr. Brownback):
  S. 322. A bill to amend title 4, United States Code, to add the 
Martin Luther King Jr. holiday to the list of days on which the flag 
should especially be displayed; to the Committee on the Judiciary.


      The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Recognition Act of 1999

 Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I am introducing 
legislation that would amend the ``Flag Code'' to add the Martin Luther 
King, Jr. holiday to the list of days on which the American flag should 
be displayed nationwide.
  It is a testament to the greatness of Martin Luther King, Jr., that 
nearly every major city in the U.S. has a street or school named after 
him. I have to admit, I was surprised to learn that the American flag 
was not flown to commemorate the Dr. King holiday.
  Dr. King, a minister, prolific writer and Nobel Prize winner 
originated the nonviolence strategy within the activist civil rights 
movement. He was one of the most important black leaders of his era and 
in American history.
  When Dr. King was tragically assassinated on April 4, 1968, he had 
already transformed himself as a national hero and a pioneer in trying 
to unite a divided nation. He strove to build communities of hope and 
opportunity for

[[Page S1087]]

all and recognized that all Americans must be free to truly have a 
great country.
  Dr. King was a person who wanted all people to get along regardless 
of their race, color or creed. His holiday came about due to the work 
of many determined people who wanted all of us to pause to remember his 
legacy.
  This legislation simply would make sure that we celebrate his 
birthday as a federal holiday in the fashion afforded to other great 
Americans whose birthdays are cause for national commemoration. I urge 
my colleagues to join me in supporting this important bill.
  I ask unanimous consent that the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 322

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. ADDITION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HOLIDAY TO LIST 
                   OF DAYS.

       Section 6(d) of title 4, United States Code, is amended by 
     inserting ``Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, third Monday 
     in January;'' after ``January 20;''.
                                 ______