Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement commemorating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:

“As we commemorate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I ask that you take a moment to remember what Dr. King strived for; equality for all.  He dedicated his life to ensuring that all Americans, no matter what the color of their skin, had access to the rights they deserved. 

“During the Civil Rights movement, Dr. King fought against hatred, bigotry, and intolerance by mastering the art of peace. He boldly led peace demonstrations and protests, with black and whites alike, against segregation laws in the South.  

“On August 28, 1963, during the famous March on Washington, Dr. King shared his vision for this nation in his legendary speech, ‘I Have a Dream.’  He envisioned an America where “… little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.”  As a beneficiary of the Civil Rights movement, it is a privilege for me to see and witness the fruits of his labor.  

On this day we honor his great legacy by serving others. Let us keep his memory alive by making a commitment to using love and understanding to bridge some of the remaining divides in our nation. While we have come a long way, we still have a long way to go.  In the spirit of Dr. King we must continue to march on to the “Promise Land.”

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