[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 10 (Thursday, January 16, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

  (Mrs. LAWRENCE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the late, great 
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
  On June 23, 1963, in my hometown of Detroit, Michigan, Martin Luther 
King, Jr., delivered an impassioned precursor to his ``I Have a Dream'' 
speech during the historic Detroit Walk to Freedom, which recognized 
the 20th anniversary of the Detroit race riots.
  With over 120,000 people present, the Detroit Walk to Freedom was the 
largest civil rights demonstration in the Nation's history. Of course, 
we all know that soon changed just a few weeks later with the March on 
Washington.
  As a young Black girl growing up on the east side of Detroit, Dr. 
Martin Luther King, Jr., was more than just a public figure; he was our 
hope. Today, I am honored to have the chance to recognize him and his 
work and will continue to do my part to ensure his legacy lives on.
  And in today's environment, here in Washington, D.C., and this 
Congress, we must refocus on the ability to recognize every person 
based on their character, their skills and abilities, and not based on 
race.

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