[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 16 (Thursday, January 24, 2013)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 5249-5250]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01636]



[[Page 5247]]

Vol. 78

Thursday,

No. 16

January 24, 2013

Part II





The President





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Proclamation 8927--Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, 2013



Proclamation 8928--National Day of Hope and Resolve, 2013
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  Federal Register / Vol. 78 , No. 16 / Thursday, January 24, 2013 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 5249]]

                Proclamation 8927 of January 18, 2013

                
Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, 2013

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                At a time of deep division nearly 50 years ago, a 
                booming voice for justice rang out across the National 
                Mall, reverberated around our country, and sent ripples 
                throughout the world. Speaking to thousands upon 
                thousands rallying for jobs and freedom, the Reverend 
                Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his ``I Have a 
                Dream'' speech, challenging America to take up the 
                worthy task of perfecting our Union. Today, we 
                celebrate a man whose clarion call stirred our Nation 
                to bridge our differences, and whose legacy still 
                drives us to bend the arc of the moral universe toward 
                justice.

                By words and example, Dr. King reminded us that 
                ``Change does not roll in on the wheels of 
                inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.'' 
                Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he mobilized multitudes 
                of men and women to take on a struggle for justice and 
                equality. They braved billy clubs and bomb threats, 
                dogs and fire hoses. For their courage and sacrifice, 
                they earned our country's everlasting gratitude.

                A half-century later, the march of progress has brought 
                us closer than ever to achieving Dr. King's dream, but 
                our work is not yet done. Too many young people still 
                grow up in forgotten neighborhoods with persistent 
                violence, underfunded schools, and inadequate health 
                care, holding little hope and few prospects for the 
                future. Too many Americans are denied the full equality 
                and opportunity guaranteed by our founding documents. 
                Today, Dr. King's struggle reminds us that while change 
                can sometimes seem impossible, if we maintain our faith 
                in ourselves and in the possibilities of this Nation, 
                there is no challenge we cannot surmount.

                Every year, Americans mark this day by answering Dr. 
                King's call to service. In his memory, let us recall 
                his teaching that ``we are caught in an inescapable 
                network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of 
                destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all 
                indirectly.'' In keeping with Dr. King's example, let 
                us embrace the belief that our destiny is shared, 
                accept our obligations to each other and to future 
                generations, and strengthen the bonds that hold 
                together the most diverse Nation on earth.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim January 21, 2013, as 
                the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday. I 
                encourage all Americans to observe this day with 
                appropriate civic, community, and service projects in 
                honor of Dr. King and to visit www.MLKDay.gov to find 
                Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service projects across 
                our country.

[[Page 5250]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                eighteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
                seventh.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2013-01636
Filed 1-23-13; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F3