[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 83 (Monday, June 14, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6971-S6972]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HOLIDAY

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 96, S. 322.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 322) 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.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to urge my 
colleagues to support passage of S. 322, the Dr. Martin Luther King, 
Jr. Day Recognition Act of 1999. It is a fitting and appropriate 
tribute to have this legislation honoring Dr. King pass the full Senate 
on Flag Day which is being commemorated today.
  This legislation will 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. 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 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

[[Page S6972]]

pause to remember his legacy. Senate passage of S. 322 will further 
recognize his legacy.
  I thank the Chair and yield the floor.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be 
considered read a third time and passed; that the motion to reconsider 
be laid upon the table; and that any statements relating to the bill be 
printed at the appropriate place in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (S. 322) was considered read the third time and passed, 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;''.

                          ____________________