[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 127, 113th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8927--JAN. 18, 2013

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.
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.
BARACK OBAMA