Schakowsky Statement on 40th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's Death

SCHAKOWSKY STATEMENT ON 40th ANNIVERSARY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING'S DEATH

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), a Chief Deputy Democratic Whip, released the following statement today in rememberance of the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King.

"Forty years ago today our nation lost of one of the most remarkable leaders of our time. Dr. Martin Luther King made a profound impact on our country both as a civil rights leader and as a lifelong advocate for human justice and peace. From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to the streets of Selma, Dr. King was not afraid to speak out against racial discrimination and segregation.

Although his life was cut short by an assassin's bullet, Dr. King's dream as he said in his most famous speech "shall never die.... We have made significant progress in the last 40 years. Back then, it would've been unthinkable for an African-American to be one of the lead candidates for President of the United States. We have come very far, but more must be done to achieve racial equality in our country, and peace and justice in the world.

While today is a solemn occasion, it is also an opportunity to reflect on Dr. King's life and the innumerable contributions he made to our country. Dr. King's words of wisdom helped inspire a generation of Americans to think differently about race and war. Dr. King will always be remembered as a visionary, a man ahead of his time, who wanted nothing more than for our diverse country to live together in peace....