[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 31, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E9-E10]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE OUTSTANDING EFFORTS OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2006

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life 
and the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and to mark the 
77th anniversary of his birth on January 15, 1929.
  History is indeed made up of significant events which shape our 
future and outstanding leaders who influence our destiny. Martin Luther 
King, Jr. has had numerous historic moments in the struggle for civil 
rights that have been used to identify him--prime mover of the 
Montgomery bus boycott, keynote speaker at the March on Washington, 
youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
  But in retrospect, Mr. Speaker the single events are less important 
than the fact that King, and his policy of nonviolent protest, was the 
dominant force in the civil rights movement during its decade of 
greatest achievement, from 1957 to 1968.
  Born on January 15, 1929, a son was born to the Reverend and Mrs. 
Martin Luther King in an upstairs bedroom of 501 Auburn Avenue, in 
Atlanta, GA. The couple named their first son after Rev. King, but he 
was simply called ``M.L.'' by the family.
  Mr. Speaker, during the next 12 years, this fine two story Victorian 
home is where M.L. would live with his parents, grandparents, siblings, 
aunts, uncles, and their boarders. It was in these surroundings of 
home, church and neighborhood that M.L. experienced his childhood. 
Here, M.L. learned about family and Christian love, segregation in the 
days of ``Jim Crow'' laws, diligence and tolerance.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was undoubtedly a vital 
figure of the modern era. His lectures and dialogues stirred the 
concern and sparked the conscience of a generation. The movements and 
marches he led brought significant changes in the fabric of American 
life through his courage and selfless devotion. His charismatic 
leadership inspired men and women, young and old, in this Nation and 
around the world.

  Dr. King's concept of ``somebodiness,'' which symbolized the 
celebration of human worth and the conquest of subjugation, gave 
African-Americans and all people hope and a sense of dignity.
  The Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday celebrates the life and legacy of 
a man who brought hope and healing to America. We commemorate as well 
the timeless values he taught us through his example--the values of 
courage, truth, justice, compassion, dignity, humility and service that 
so radiantly defined Dr. King's character and empowered his leadership. 
On this holiday, we commemorate the universal, unconditional love, 
forgiveness and nonviolence that empowered his revolutionary spirit.

[[Page E10]]

  Mr. Speaker, let there be no misunderstanding that the King holiday 
honors the life and contributions of America's greatest champion of 
racial justice and equality, the leader who not only dreamed of a 
color-blind society, but who also lead a movement that achieved 
historic reforms to help make it a reality.
  It is a day of interracial and intercultural cooperation and sharing. 
No other day of the year brings so many peoples from different cultural 
backgrounds together in such a vibrant spirit of brother and 
sisterhood. Whether you are African-American, Hispanic or Native 
American, whether you are Caucasian or Asian-American, you are part of 
the great dream Martin Luther King, Jr. had for America. This is not 
just an African-American holiday; it is a peoples' holiday. And it is 
the young people of all races and religions who hold the keys to the 
fulfillment of his dream.
  Mr. Speaker, I challenge all Americans by making your personal 
commitment to serve humanity with the vibrant spirit of unconditional 
love that was his greatest strength, and which empowered all of the 
great victories of his leadership.
  May we who follow Martin now pledge to serve humanity, promote his 
teachings and carry forward his legacy into the 21st century.
  We honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. because he showed us the way to 
mend those broken fences and to move on in building this land rather 
than destroying it. He led campaign after campaign in the streets of 
America and on to the governor's mansion--even to the White House--in 
an effort to secure change.
  Mr. Speaker, today African-Americans have Federal legislation which 
provides access and legal protection in the areas of public 
accommodations, housing, voting rights, schools, and transportation. 
Thank you Dr. King for being the drum major who was able and ready to 
lead our Nation to greater heights through love and peace.

                          ____________________