2014 -- S 2053

Enacted 01/21/14

COMMEMORATING THE CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF THE REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

Introduced By: Senators Metts, Pichardo, Paiva Weed, Ruggerio, and Goodwin

Date Introduced: January 21, 2014

WHEREAS, On January 15, 1929, a child was born in Atlanta, Georgia, who would one day lead a nonviolent revolution that would forever change the social and political landscape of America; and

WHEREAS, The mirror that the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., held before the national conscience revealed the ugliness of racism and hatred that had divided America from the day it was born. Neither the carnage of civil war, nor even the thorough self-examination that Dr. King forced upon the nation, has entirely eradicated the injustices which still plague this nation. However, where would the social conscience of America be today were it not for the courage and teachings of this great man?; and

WHEREAS, There can be no doubt that Dr. King burned with the fire of revolution. Where others called for blood and violence to purify the nation, he preached nonviolence. His ironclad will knew that the justness of his cause would one day unite America. In his famed "I Have a Dream" speech before the Lincoln Memorial, he challenged the country to live up to its ideals; and

WHEREAS, For Dr. King, violence was a firestorm which must eventually consume the arsonist. Although the victim of violence throughout his public career, he never gave in to the darkness cloaking this great evil. Dr. King believed that violence did not change hearts. He believed that racial equality and social justice were more likely to come about through appeals to the public's collective conscience and by the examples being set by those advocating social justice and non-violence; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby commemorates the birthday of the great Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We honor not only the man and his accomplishments, but also the continuing process of social enlightenment he founded which lives with us still, ever pressing us to move beyond what we are and what we think we can be. A prophet of hope, Dr. King left a legacy which will live forever; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to all general office holders, members of the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, and the Martin Luther King, Jr., State Holiday Commission.