[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 117 (Monday, September 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1253-E1254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMEMORATING THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.'S 
                       ``I HAVE A DREAM'' SPEECH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 9, 2013

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to commemorate 
the Fiftieth Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s ``I Have a 
Dream'' speech. This incredibly moving oration set the stage to bring 
equal rights to all people; his words are as poignant and touching 
today as they were when spoken fifty years ago.
   From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963, Dr. King 
delivered this now famous speech while hundreds of thousands of 
onlookers participated in the March on Washington. The speech began 
with reference to the Emancipation Proclamation, which ended slavery in 
the United States and brought about hope for the future; however, Dr. 
King continued to highlight how there was still more work to be done, 
even one hundred years after Lincoln made that address. Then, through 
an artful combination of skilled writing and improvisation, Dr. King 
delivered what is arguably one of the most memorable speeches of our 
Nation's history.
   In his speech, Dr. King envisioned a Nation where the families of 
former slaves and those of former slave owners would live together in 
harmony. He urged people to look past years of racial segregation, 
injustice, and inequality to join together as one. He did so, as all 
parents would, with the hope that his children could live in a land 
free from hatred. Dr. King stated that this was the freedom that our 
Founding Fathers fought so hard to protect, so we owed it to them and 
ourselves to create this change.
   Perhaps Dr. King did not know how monumental this one speech would 
become to the American civil rights movement. It allowed many Americans 
to reflect on years of racial separation and realize that change was on 
the horizon. Unfortunately, Dr. King did not live to

[[Page E1254]]

see this dream realized, but his ``I Have a Dream'' speech helped pave 
the way for the success of the civil rights movement and remains an 
important lesson on history and equality to this day.
   As organizations throughout our Nation join in commemorating the 
anniversary of this momentous speech, I would like to recognize and 
thank Operation People for Peace, and its Chairman Arthur Rocker, Sr., 
who has partnered with over four hundred churches and organizations 
throughout the Gulf Coast to collect food donations to help feed 
thousands of families, as well as, thank the Southern Christian 
Leadership Conference chapters of the Gulf Coast, the National Congress 
of Black Women chapters of the Gulf Coast, and all organizations across 
Northwest Florida for their efforts. We are truly blessed to have these 
organizations helping to keep the memory of Dr. King's words fresh in 
the minds of the people in our community.
   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it gives me 
great pride to recognize the Fiftieth Anniversary of the ``I Have a 
Dream'' speech. My wife Vicki joins me in thanking those throughout 
Northwest Florida for hosting celebrations along the Gulf Coast to 
commemorate this incredible speech. Most importantly, we would like to 
remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for his tremendous service to this 
Nation and his efforts to put an end to racial inequality.

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