[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 47 (Monday, April 4, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E626]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. ON THE 
                        ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 4, 2011

  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today the nation takes pause 
to observe the 43rd anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, 
Jr. As a Member of the Select Committee on Assassinations that 
reinvestigated the murder of Dr. King, this day reminds me of that 
horrible day in 1968. Forty-three years ago today, the man who dreamed 
of a ``more perfect union'' was gunned down by American terrorist in 
Memphis, Tennessee, but his dream continues to become reality today. 
One cannot observe this day without reflecting on the life and legacy 
of a man who brought hope and healing to America. This anniversary 
reminds us that nothing is impossible when we are guided by the better 
angels of our nature.
  The story of Dr. King is pressed upon me. I am reminded of my work 
with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and hearing 
Dr. King's inspiring words fill a great void in our Nation, and 
answered our collective longing to become a country that truly lived by 
its noblest principles. Yet, Dr. King knew that it wasn't enough just 
to talk the talk, that he had to walk the walk for his words to be 
credible. And so we remember this man of action, who put his life on 
the line for freedom and justice every day.
  We honor the courage of a man who endured harassment, threats and 
beatings, and even bombings. We commemorate the man who went to jail 29 
times to achieve freedom for others, and who knew he would pay the 
ultimate price for his leadership, but kept on marching and protesting 
and organizing anyway.
  Dr. King once said that we all have to decide whether we ``will walk 
in the light of creative altruism or the darkness of destructive 
selfishness. Life's most persistent and nagging question, he said, is 
`what are you doing for others?' ''
  And when Dr. King talked about the end of his mortal life in one of 
his last sermons, on February 4, 1968 in the pulpit of Ebenezer Baptist 
Church, even then he lifted up the value of service as the hallmark of 
a full life. ``I'd like somebody to mention on that day Martin Luther 
King, Jr. tried to give his life serving others,'' he said. ``I want 
you to say on that day, that I did try in my life . . . to love and 
serve humanity.''
  Mr. Speaker, these words were spoken by Dr. King two months to the 
day before his death. Thus it is 43 years after his death, Dr. King 
continues to teach us all.
  Mr. Speaker, during these difficult days as we observe violence 
throughout the world, all should take pause to the message of non-
violence and speak as Dr. King spoke truth to power.
  Dr. King's dream did not stop at racial equality, his ultimate dream 
was one of human equality. There is no doubt that Dr. King supported 
freedom and justice for every individual in America. We continue that 
fight today and forever, in the great spirit that inspired the Rev. Dr. 
Martin Luther King, Jr.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank all my colleagues for being here and remembering 
Dr. King's dream and for all that has been done to keep his dream 
alive.

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