[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 51 (Wednesday, April 2, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E475]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMEMORATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ASSASSINATION OF DR. MARTIN 
                            LUTHER KING, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. HEATH SHULER

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 1, 2008

  Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res. 1061, 
commemorating the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin 
Luther King, Jr., and encouraging people of the United States to pause 
and remember the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
  Dr. King dedicated his life to fighting for equality for all men and 
women, regardless of race, creed or class. He was a courageous activist 
who worked tirelessly to give a voice to Americans whose voices had 
been silenced.
  We live in a society that has undergone infinite change because of 
this courageous man and his relentless pursuit of a better America. Yet 
while we have made immense progress in some areas, we must not turn a 
blind eye to the fact that the work that Dr. King started is not yet 
complete. Today the responsibility rests on our shoulders to continue 
his efforts. We must keep working.
  The American Dream means something different to everyone. And while 
it may mean something different to you than it does to your parents or 
the person sitting next to you at church, I know this: The American 
Dream is about being able to afford health care, and not having to 
decide between prescriptions and groceries. It is about being able to 
earn a wage that is sufficient enough to provide for your family. It is 
about being able to send your kids to college so they have access to 
more opportunities than you do.
  We teach our children that Dr. King gave his life in Memphis, but we 
forget to tell them that he was there helping sanitation workers fight 
for a living wage. We honor Dr. King by name today, but I believe we 
honor him best by passing legislation that makes it easier for 
Americans to realize the dream that Dr. King fought for. Most recently, 
we voted to approve the College Opportunity and Affordability of 2008, 
which authorizes the Federal Government's major federal student aid 
programs, among many other things. Our successes in these areas are 
made in his name and will help serve as a catalyst for even greater 
movements.
  Dr. King's eloquence and determination forced this House to pass long 
overdue civil rights legislation. This House should never be forced to 
do the right thing again. Dr. King said: ``Our lives begin to end the 
day we become silent about things that matter.'' This House should 
never be silent on the issues that mattered most to Dr. King, including 
protecting the rights of working Americans.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution to honor 
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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