[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5573]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE ASSASSINATION OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER 
                               KING, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 7, 2011

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the 
40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to 
honor his legacy and recognize the innumerous Americans who continue 
along the path he paved towards justice and liberty for all citizens.
  It is rare that one person can change the fate of our Nation; however 
Dr. King was able to do just that. Dr. King relied on his relationship 
with God and his faith in justice to articulate his vision for America 
in a way that touched the hearts and minds of the American public.
  Dr. King called on all of us to no longer stand alone in silence, but 
to stand up together as a voice against injustice. He inspired us to 
fight for change through nonviolent means, and paved the road for us to 
continue that fight even after his death.
  Few people would sacrifice time and energy for loved ones, fewer for 
strangers, yet Dr. King humbled himself to do just that. He ultimately 
sacrificed his life and his family sacrificed their patriarch for the 
struggle towards political justice for all Americans. Today we pay 
homage for their selflessness and publicly thank them for their 
commitments to humanity.
  Dr. King left us with the challenge to courageously fight and secure 
the civil rights for all, from the impoverished and disenfranchised 
underclass to the politically and economically endowed. Although his 
challenge was issued 40 years ago, we still have not fully realized his 
noble request.
  Today, that legacy is as much about the past as it is about the 
future. Dr. King's dream is truly timeless, and I hope that our next 
generation will find inspiration in his faith and vision.

                          ____________________