[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 14 (Wednesday, February 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF CORETTA SCOTT KING

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. CHAKA FATTAH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2006

  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay homage to Coretta Scott 
King, a great leader in the movement for civil and human rights on the 
occasion of her passing.
  Known first as the wife of Dr. Martin Luther King, Mrs. King's 
commitment to the struggle for all people continued throughout her 
life. Attending Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, Coretta Scott 
King earned a Bachelor's Degree in music and education, skills she used 
to organize Freedom Concerts to benefit the Southern Christian 
Leadership Conference. Serving as a delegate from Women Strike for 
Peace at a 1962 Disarmament Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Mrs. 
King demonstrated her commitment to working for peace and justice 
worldwide.
  Following the tragic murder of her husband, Coretta Scott King 
committed herself to promoting Dr. King's principles of nonviolence and 
social justice. First, in establishing the King Center for Nonviolent 
Social Change, which has trained tens of thousands of people in the 
philosophy and methods of Dr. King, she has been able to preserve and 
further his legacy. Second, she served as chair of the Martin Luther 
King Jr. Federal Holiday Commission and worked for the national 
recognition of Dr. King's birthday.
  In addition to working for the recognition of her husband's legacy, 
Mrs. King was always a tireless advocate for the abolition of Apartheid 
in South Africa, women and children's rights, gay and lesbian dignity, 
full employment and ecological sanity. In recognition of this work, 
Coretta Scott King has lead goodwill missions across the globe 
consulting with world leaders. In addition, the American Library 
Association has awarded Coretta Scott King Awards to more than 175 
books written or illustrated by African Americans that promote 
understanding and appreciation for all cultures and demonstrate 
commitment to equality and justice.
  Surely the passing of Coretta Scott King is a great loss to this 
Nation and the world. Mrs. King demonstrated a resilience and 
commitment to the ideals of equality and justice that has been matched 
by few and we all owe her a debt of gratitude.

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