[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 132, 115th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9720 of April 3, 2018

50th Anniversary of the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Fifty years ago today, on April 4, 1968, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr., was tragically assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. Though he
was taken from this earth unjustly, he left us with his legacy of
justice and peace. In remembrance of his profound and inspirational
virtues, we look to do as Dr. King did while this world was privileged
enough to still have him. We must learn to live together as brothers and
sisters lest we perish together as fools. We must embrace the sanctity
of life and love our neighbor as we love ourselves. As a united people,
we must see Dr. King's life mission through and denounce racism,
inhumanity, and all those things that seek to divide us.
It is not government that will achieve Dr. King's ideals, but rather the
people of this great country who will see to it that our Nation
represents all that is good and true, and embodies unity, peace, and
justice. We must actively aspire to secure the dream of living together
as

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one people with a common purpose. President Abraham Lincoln sought to
eradicate the senseless divisions of racial hierarchies when he issued
the Emancipation Proclamation. Just over 100 years later, Dr. King
continued this effort and called upon Americans to reject ugly impulses
and prejudices, and to recognize the beauty and the humanity of all
people, regardless of the color of their skin. Today, we remain
steadfast in advancing their efforts, in hopes of hastening the day when
all of God's children will join hands in freedom forever.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 April 4, 2018, to be a
day to honor Dr. King's legacy. I urge all Americans to do their part to
make Dr. King's dreams of peace, unity, and justice a reality.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of April,
in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-second.
DONALD J. TRUMP