[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E34]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY NAACP AND THE CITY OF WEST COVINA 
       FOR COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 21, 2004

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to commend the work of the San 
Gabriel Valley National Association for the Advancement of Colored 
People (NAACP) and the city of West Covina for their 5th annual 
commemoration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
  Dr. King was a visionary leader who believed and dreamed of a color-
blind society in America--a place where interracial and intercultural 
cooperation triumphs over hatred and ignorance. He helped awaken our 
nation's conscience of the racial injustice directed toward millions of 
Americans and reaffirmed our most cherished principle--the principle 
that all men and women are created equal.
  During the 1960s, a time of great unrest, Dr. King emphasized the 
importance of using nonviolence to achieve social and political 
advancement for all people. Dr. King understood that the means of 
achieving your goal was as important as the goal you were trying to 
achieve. Although we have made great strides toward achieving greater 
equality and opportunity for all since his death, we as a nation and as 
a people are still struggling to fulfill his dream, and we must do 
more.
  According to Coretta Scott King, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday 
is not only a celebration of a man who brought hope and healing to 
America, but it is, above all, a day of service. In honor of Dr. King, 
let us remember to help the less fortunate, to fight against injustice, 
and live up to the principle of our great country.
  I commend the work of the San Gabriel Valley NAACP and the city of 
West Covina for organizing the 5th annual celebration to pay tribute to 
the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Events like these 
remind us that Dr. King's fight is our fight, his dream is our dream, 
and that one day we will ``judge a person by the content of their 
character and not the color of their skin.'' Let us keep his memory 
alive through our actions and deeds.

                          ____________________