[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 13 (Monday, January 28, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E87]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 15, 2008

  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise 
today to celebrate the life of one of the greatest leaders in our 
Nation's history, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King is 
revered and respected throughout the world for his commitment to unite 
humanity by working to end segregation and racial discrimination and to 
create social and economic justice for all.
  Martin Luther King, Jr. brought the issues of racism, segregation, 
and inequality to the forefront of the United States' and the world's 
moral conscience. He willingly sacrificed his life for humanity in the 
hope of helping our Nation fulfill its promise of ``life, liberty, and 
the pursuit of happiness'' for all Americans. He vehemently expressed 
that America could not be true to its vision unless these inalienable 
rights expressed in its founding documents could be applied to all.
  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. envisioned a world-wide community where 
all forms of discrimination and prejudice would cease to exist. He 
advocated peaceful methods of conflict resolution instead of brute 
force and violence. To King, his dream was not a utopian ideal, but a 
reality that could be actively sought. King stated that, ``It is this 
love which will bring about miracles in the hearts of men.''
  Those who released attack dogs at him, sprayed him down with 
firehoses, threatened him, and even bombed his house ultimately learned 
to respect him and his vision because of his unequivocal embrace of 
humanity for all. He looked past the evil he faced and the ignorance 
many held firmly close at heart with an empathetic vision of hope for 
social and economic justice. That is, he believed righteousness and 
love could overcome the greatest evils. I quote his vision, ``Yes if 
you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major 
for justice; say that I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of 
the other shallow things will not matter. I won't have the fine and 
luxurious things of life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a 
committed life behind.''
  In his last sermon, Dr. King stated, ``If any of you are around when 
I have to meet my day, I don't want a long funeral, and if you get 
somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell him not to talk too long.--Tell 
him not to mention that I have a Nobel Peace Prize; that isn't 
important. Tell him not to mention that I have three or four hundred 
other awards; that's not important. Tell him not to mention where I 
went to school. I'd like somebody to mention that day that Martin 
Luther King, Jr. tried to give his life serving others. I'd like for 
somebody to say that day that Martin Luther King, Jr. tried to love 
somebody--I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed 
the hungry. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my 
life to visit those who were in prison. And I want you to say that I 
tried to love and serve humanity.''
  On behalf of the people of the 11th Congressional of Ohio I join with 
the rest of the Nation, and the world to celebrate the life of Dr. 
Martin Luther King, Jr. The torch has now been passed on to us to carry 
on his commitment for social and economic justice. There is still more 
work to be done. We must continue to strive towards making the dream 
Dr. King dreamt for us into a reality. May his legacy live on.

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