[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           PRESIDENT OBAMA AND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 4, 2009

  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, today I rise in celebration of the 
inauguration of President Barack Obama and in honor of the dream of 
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In August of 1963, Dr. King shared 
dream with the world, ``that one day this nation will rise up and live 
out the true meaning of its creed: `We hold these truths to be self-
evident, that all men are created equal.' '' To so many, this 
inauguration symbolized the realization of this dream.
  As the Representative of the Eighth District, I'm proud to stand 
before you today to recognize the importance of President Obama's place 
in history, and the fulfillment of the dream of Dr. King. The majority 
of the Eighth Congressional District of Washington is within the 
boundaries of King County, and in 1986, King County renamed itself in 
honor of Dr. King, ``a man whose contributions are well-documented and 
celebrated by millions throughout this nation and the world, and embody 
the attributes for which the citizens of King County can be proud, and 
claim as their own.''
  The inauguration of President Barack Obama represented a monumental 
step forward in fulfilling Dr. King's vision for America. It was also a 
moment to celebrate our nation's freedom and cherish our democracy as 
we witnessed the peaceful transition of leadership between two 
individuals elected by a free people.
  In the words of President Obama's inauguration speech: ``. . . we 
gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over 
conflict and discord.'' Just 16 days ago President Obama shared these 
words with the nation as he took to the oath to become the 44th 
President of our great nation. He shared these words, I believe, to 
inspire a nation facing great challenges and opportunities ahead.
  I am so proud to know that, as I serve in the U.S. House of 
Representatives, I am serving in Washington, DC with a man in the White 
House who is the absolute embodiment of the beautiful words Dr. King 
spoke. With that in mind, I requested an American flag to be flown over 
the Capitol on Inauguration Day to present the flag to King County 
Executive Ron Sims and the entirety of the County Council, in 
remembrance of this historic day as the nation moves forward and looks 
to a future filled with hope and lives on in the American spirit.

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