2017 -- S 0016

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LC000552

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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S E N A T 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.

     

     Introduced By: Senators Metts, Quezada, Paiva Weed, Ruggerio, Goodwin, and
Raptakis

     Date Introduced: January 18, 2017

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, In the altruistic words of the esteemed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "Life's

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most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" He devoted his life to the

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advancement of civil rights and service to one's community, and he helped to move us closer to

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the ideals on which America was founded, a nation of freedom and justice for all; and

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     WHEREAS, Born on January 15, 1929, Dr. King grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, attending

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segregated public schools. After earning his high school diploma, he started college at the age of

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fifteen and went on to obtain his doctorate in 1955; and

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     WHEREAS, During his lifetime, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., changed the course of

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history. He led a nonviolent revolution that would forever change the social and political

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landscape of America; and

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     WHEREAS, The mirror that the Reverend Dr. King held before the national conscience

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revealed the ugliness of racism and hatred that had divided America throughout its history, and

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neither the carnage of civil war, nor the self-examination that Dr. King forced upon the nation,

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has fully eradicated the injustices which are still prevalent to this day; and

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     WHEREAS, There is no doubt that Dr. King challenged us to make real the promise of

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America. When others called for blood and violence, he eloquently preached nonviolence. For

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him, violence was a firestorm which must eventually consume the arsonist, and although he was a

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victim of violence throughout his public career, he never gave in to the darkness cloaking this

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great evil. He believed that violence did not change hearts, that racial equality and social justice

 

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were more likely to come about through appeals to the public's collective conscience and by the

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examples being set by those advocating social justice and nonviolence; and

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     WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. King also changed the course of history and inspired all

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citizens to help build what he called "the beloved community," and to live up to the purpose and

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potential of America. His famed "I Have a Dream" speech before the Lincoln Memorial, his

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ironclad will, and the true justness of his cause forever changed and advanced freedom, equality,

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opportunity, and brotherhood for all; and

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     WHEREAS, This year marks the 32nd Anniversary of the nationwide observance of the

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Martin Luther King, Jr., federal holiday, honoring one of the most influential and iconic leaders

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of the civil rights movement. It is a time for the people of our state to recognize Dr. King's

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teachings by embracing and promoting his tireless, undeniable efforts toward equality, and by

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finding ways to give back to our communities; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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hereby commemorates the birthday of the great Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We honor

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not only the man and his accomplishments, but also the continuing process of social

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enlightenment he founded which lives with us still, ever pressing us to move beyond what we are

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and what we think we can be. A prophet of hope, Dr. King left a legacy which will live forever;

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and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to all general office holders, members of the

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Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, and the Martin Luther King, Jr., State Holiday

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Commission.

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