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Special Issue
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
Local King
Day Events
Page 12
PORTLAND OBSERVER
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The Port kind Observer is proud to present
our fifth annual special issue on Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr.
A man o f peace and a disciple o f Gandhi,
King sought to eradicate problems that re
main today—problems o f poverty, racism,
injustice. He attempted to bring to his non
violent movement a global perspective—
attacking the problems o f war and oppres
sion.
He captured the heart and soul o f the
world as no other because he fe lt the pain
and suffering o f humanity.
We still need peace, love and humility in
the world. Let us look to Dr. King fo r in
spiration and attempt to make his dream a
reality.
January 20, 1986 will mark the first observance o f the Federal legal
holiday honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. The Act creating the holiday was
passed after inorc than 16 years of effort by the King family, the Martin Luther
King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Inc., and the countless friends
and supporters of Martin Luther King, Jr. Support for the legislation came
from all walks of life— from select members of Congress, the White House,
business and labor, from civil rights and religious groups—and, most impor
tant, from those individuals who have worked continuously to make his dream
a reality.
The Act sets aside the third Monday of January as the official Federal
holiday. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s actual birthday is Jan. IS. According to the
Act, "the holiday should serve as a time for Americans to reflect on the prin
ciples of racial equality and nonviolent social change espoused by Martin
Luther King, Jr."
Once the Federal legal holiday was enacted, Mrs. Coretta Scott King,
President of the King Center, asked Congress to establish a Federal commission
to assist in the first observance of the holiday. Congresswoman Katie Hall of
Indiana was asked to introduce the legislation and the bi-partisan leadership of
the Congress honored Mrs. King's request by expediting passage of the Act
creating the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission. President
Ronald Reagan signed the legislation on Aug. 27, 1984.
The Act calls for "the Federal Government to coordinate efforts with
i
Americans of diverse backgrounds and with private organizations in the first
observance of the Federal legal holiday honoring Martin Luther King, Jr." The
Commission's purpose is to encourage appropriate ceremonies and activities
throughout the U .S. and provide advice and assistance to Federal, Slate and
local governments and to private organizations in planning and conducting
their activities.
Mrs. King has asked that Dr. King's birthday celebration focus on en
couraging improved race relations as a means of unifying America in the spirit
of Dr. K ing’s dream The holiday must be a time to remind America and the
world of those ideas for which Dr. King marched, preached, and finally died. Il
is a time for the nation to renew its commitment to achieve positive social
change through the use of nonviolent means. It must be an opportunity to ad
dress Dr. King's unfinished agenda—a tune for serious study and reflection on
his life and work. It must be a day of national unity—a day in which Americans
of every race, religion, class and political persuasion are involved in the
celebration of Dr King's legacy, life and dream. Americans are encouraged to
fly the Nation's flag on Monday, Jan 20, to honor the memory of Dr. King,
truly an American hero and patriot. The holiday should be a day for coming
together, sharing and caring for one another in the tradition of Martin Luther
King, Jr. This holiday will ignite a spirit that will continue for years to come.
The Commission is asking for the cooperation of governors, the District
of Columbia. U.S. territories and U.S. military installations overseas in estab
lishing Martin Luther K in g, Jr. Holiday Com missions, modeled alter the
Federal Commission. State commissions will be urged to involve the public in
planning appropriate events honoring M artin Luther K in g , Jr . and in
promoting widespread public participation in the activities and ceremonies of
the holiday.
The C ommission, with 31 members, reflects the broad range of support
and respect of all segments of our society for Dr K in g ’s inspiration and ac
complishments. Mrs. Coretta Scott King serves as the Chairperson of the
Commission and Governor James R Thompson of Illinois is the Vice ( hair
person.
Recognizing that the M artin Luther K in g , Jr Center is the o fficia l
memorial established to continue l>r King’s legacy and work, (ongress man
dated that the Commission include, in addition to Mrs. King, two members of
the K ing fam ily and two representatives from the K in g C enter. The Act
requires that the C om m ission be equally represented by Dem ocrats and
Republicans, composed of: four officers of the executive branch, appointed by
the President; eight members o f Congress, four each from the House and
Senate selected by the leadership of Congress; and 14 commissioners represent
ing such diverse groups as organized labor, business, civil rights, education,
religious groups, youth organizations, sports, and the entertainment world, to
be selected by the original 17 appointees