[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1179]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             IN MEMORY OF REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 12, 2007

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, Dr. King brought the civil rights 
movement to every living room in this country. He marched for freedom 
in the face of unspeakable racial prejudice, yet preached a message of 
nonviolence, civility and tolerance. It took Dr. King's forceful 
movement and powerful words to bring about real and lasting change to 
this country.
  This will be the first Martin Luther King, Jr. Day since the passing 
of Dr. King's wife, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, a legendary civil rights 
advocate who's memory we honored at a community wide march last year in 
Miami. During a time of national grief and unrest following Dr. King's 
assassination, she became a symbol of her husband's struggle for peace 
and unity. On this day, we also honor this wonderful matriarchal 
figure, a role model who helped lead the struggle for equality.
  Minority communities face obstacles every day--poverty, unemployment, 
lack of healthcare, and access to housing. It is a tragic waste that 1 
in 5 children live in poverty, including more than one-third of African 
American children.
  Dr. King paved the way for so many people, including me, to assume 
roles of influence in this country. And for all this work, he created a 
more just society and made this country an even better place to live. 
On this day, let us work even harder toward fulfilling Dr. King's 
legacy of public service.

                          ____________________