| R 022 |
| 2025 -- H 5059 Enacted 01/15/2025 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| COMMEMORATING THE CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF THE REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., ON JANUARY 15, 2025 |
Introduced By: Representatives Biah, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Hull, Chippendale, Morales, Sanchez, Batista, Diaz, and DeSimone |
| Date Introduced: January 15, 2025 |
| WHEREAS, In the altruistic words of the esteemed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., |
| "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." He devoted his life to the advancement of |
| civil rights and social efforts that undo the systemic effects of white supremacy, and he helped to |
| move us closer to the ideals on which America was founded, as a nation of freedom and justice |
| for all; and |
| WHEREAS, Born on January 15, 1929, Dr. King grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, attending |
| segregated public schools. After earning his high school diploma, he started college at the age of |
| fifteen and went on to obtain his doctorate in 1955; and |
| WHEREAS, During his lifetime, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., changed the course of |
| history. He led a nonviolent revolution that would forever change the social and political |
| landscape of America; and |
| WHEREAS, The mirror that the Reverend Dr. King held before the national conscience |
| revealed the ugliness of racism and hatred that divided America throughout its history, and |
| neither the carnage of civil war, nor the self-examination that Dr. King forced upon the nation, |
| has fully eradicated the injustices which are still prevalent to this day; and |
| WHEREAS, This year marks the 39th Anniversary of the first nationwide observance of |
| the Martin Luther King, Jr., federal holiday, honoring one of the most influential and iconic |
| leaders of the civil rights movement. It is a time for the people of our state and the nation to |
| recognize Dr. King's teachings by embracing and promoting his tireless, undeniable efforts |
| toward equality, and by finding ways to undo systemic economic and political injustice; now, |
| therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island 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 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. |
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| LC000206 |
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