[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 123, 111th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

123 STAT. 3602
 
PROCLAMATION 8340--JAN. 15, 2009

Proclamation 8340 of January 15, 2009
Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, 2009
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

On the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, we recognize one of
history' most consequential advocates for equality and civil rights, and
we celebrate his powerful message of justice and hope. Our Nation is
better because Dr. King was a man of courage and vision who understood
that love and compassion will always triumph over bitterness and hatred.

As Americans, we believe it is self-evident that all men are created
equal and that freedom is not a grant of government but a gift from the
Author of Life. Dr. King trusted in these beliefs articulated in our
founding documents even when our country' practices did not live up to
its promises. He roused the conscience of a complacent Nation by drawing
attention to the ugliness of discrimination and segregation and by
calling on Americans to live up to our guarantee of equality.
Our Nation has seen tremendous progress in redeeming the ideals of
America and protecting every person's God-given rights. The historic
election of Barack Obama as President of the United States reflects the
real advances our Nation has made in the fight against the bigotry that
Dr. King opposed. More work remains, though, and we must heed Dr. King's
words that ``injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.'' By
continuing to spread his message and demanding that the equal rights he
fought for are extended to all people, we can ensure that the dignity of
every person is respected and that the hope for a better tomorrow
reaches every community throughout the world.
As we observe Dr. King's birthday, we commemorate his leadership and
strength of character. We go forward with confidence that if we remain
true to our founding principles, our Nation will continue to advance the
cause of justice and remain a beacon of hope to people everywhere.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 19, 2009, as the
Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday. I encourage all Americans to
observe this day with appropriate civic, community, and service programs
and activities in honor of Dr. King's life and legacy.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of
January, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
third.
GEORGE W. BUSH