[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 1367]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

  Mr. BROWNBACK. Madam President, I wish to focus the body for a few 
minutes on January 20, 2003, when we will pause to remember Dr. Martin 
Luther King, Jr., a man who changed the course of history and America's 
conscience.
  Dr. King is really one of those few individuals throughout history 
who has so nobly exemplified the principles of sacrificial love and 
devotion. He changed a country, and he gave his life in the process.
  I want to read a short excerpt from a speech he gave the night before 
he was assassinated. On April 3, 1968, 1 day before he was killed, Dr. 
King said the following in a speech:

       I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult 
     days ahead, but it doesn't matter with me now. I've been to 
     the mountaintop and I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like 
     to live a long life; longevity has its place, but I am not 
     concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And 
     he's allowed me to go up to the mountain, and I have looked 
     over and I have seen the promised land. I may not get there 
     with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people 
     will get to the promised land.

  He said that April 3, 1968, the day before he was killed. I want to 
particularly focus on that last sentence:

       . . . but I want you to know tonight that we as a people 
     will get to the promised land.

  In order for our Nation to reach the promised land Dr. King 
referenced, we must see a racial understanding, a racial 
reconciliation. We are still working at it and we still have a ways to 
go. We need to do it through education, through cooperation, through 
communication, and we need to do it every way we can.
  For several years now, several of us have been working together--I 
have particularly worked with Congressman John Lewis on the House side 
to create a national museum of African-American history and culture on 
The Mall here in Washington--in our front yard. I am proud to say that 
I have had the support of many Members of this Chamber on this issue, 
including Senators Sessions, Specter, Dodd, and Clinton.
  I am confident that when the Presidential commission, which we 
created, submits their report on the creation of this much needed piece 
of American history, this body will vote to create this museum--a 
museum that not only means a great deal to African Americans, but to 
this whole Nation as well.
  I don't pretend that the creation of a museum will be a cure-all for 
racial reconciliation. It is, however, an important and, I think, a 
very productive step toward healing our Nation's racial wounds. I hope 
it can be a museum of reconciliation at the end of the day, and that we 
will be expanding on Dr. King's philosophy of understanding the plight 
of one another through education.
  As we celebrate the life and legacy of one of our greatest national 
leaders, we need to return to those basic values which Dr. King 
promoted. His values are work, family, charity for our fellow man, and, 
most importantly, the recognition of a higher moral authority, which 
empowered his life so much.
  I had the opportunity last year to meet in Atlanta with Dr. King's 
wife, Coretta Scott King. She brought up again that point of view that 
empowered him, which was the power of faith that was evident in all 
that he did. Only through those qualities he expressed and lived by 
will we become a nation truly worthy of Dr. King's legacy.
  According to Dr. King, I will quote again:

       The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in 
     moments of comfort and convenience, but at times of challenge 
     and controversy. A true neighbor will risk his position, his 
     prestige, and even his life for the welfare of others.

  Indeed Dr. King exemplified those qualities in his life, and I invite 
all of my colleagues to join me in continuing this legacy.
  We will be introducing--probably within a month--the bill on the 
national African American museum. I hope my colleagues will join us in 
supporting this. I think it is going to be an important statement. We 
have tried now for some 73 years to get this sort of museum--I have not 
personally, but a number of groups have. It is time that this happens 
in order to tell the difficulties, trials, tribulations, and triumphs 
of the African-American people. It is my hope that through this 
understanding we will start to improve and create bonds and a racial 
reconciliation in our land.
  Madam President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a 
quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CONRAD. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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