[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 51 (Wednesday, April 2, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H1944-H1945]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMEMORATING THE LEGACY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., BY SERVICE FOR 
                                 PEACE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Yarmuth) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the 40th anniversary of the 
week Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was killed to commemorate his legacy 
as continued by Service for Peace.
  During his short life, Dr. King marched in my hometown of Louisville, 
Kentucky, on his way to touching millions of American lives throughout 
this Nation and inspiring the masses with his message of freedom and of 
peace. Today, I am proud to say that, in no small part thanks to the 
efforts of Reverend Peter Hayes, our local Service for Peace, and 
programs like 40 Days of Peace, the MLK Season of Service, and the King 
Memorial Walk and Peace Fest, the spirit of Dr. King is alive and well 
in our hometown.
  Each year, Service for Peace reminds us that though King was taken 
from us far too early, the gifts he gave to us, his lessons, his 
passion, his legacy, remain and continue to inspire within us a deep 
sense of justice.
  Nationwide, half a million volunteers took part in this year's MLK 
Day of

[[Page H1945]]

Peace, contributed to their communities and committed themselves to 
peace and justice.

                              {time}  1630

  This Saturday for the second year in a row I will join with members 
of the Louisville community for the King Memorial Walk and Peace Fest. 
We will gather at the Muhammad Ali Center to share stories of 
yesterday's struggles and a vision for tomorrow's successes, before 
walking as one to the north side of the Ohio River. Crossing that 
boundary once was a journey between slavery and salvation, Jim Crow and 
justice, oppression and opportunity for far too many Americans. But 
this weekend, when we return to Louisville, we will enter a community 
proud of its diversity, alive with the spirit of peace, and working 
toward a more just future for all.
  While it is true that we cannot bring Martin Luther King, Jr., back, 
by promoting his teachings, Service for Peace ensures that we will 
never really lose him, either. The activism of Service for Peace is so 
much more than a tribute to a great American hero; it is a practical 
and proven strategy to reduce drug use, crime, violence, and murder in 
my community and others throughout our great Nation.
  I know my colleagues will join me in honoring Service for Peace, just 
as Service for Peace honors the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

                          ____________________