Hoyer Statement on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement today in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day:

"Whether at the pulpit or on the picket line, speaking before a group of 200 in a congregation or a crowd of more than 200,000 on the National Mall, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired those around him to heal the wounds of hate and injustice that ail our country and world. More than a half century after he was taken from us, his memory continues to motivate new generations of people dedicated to bettering their communities and to building a more equitable society. I join Americans in honoring Dr. King this weekend as we pay tribute to his legacy on what would have been his ninety-fourth birthday.

"Dr. King pushed our nation to live up to its founding promise to 'secure the Blessings of Liberty' for all Americans. His work remains unfinished, however. From voting rights to human rights, social justice to economic justice, I've worked alongside my colleagues in the House – including the Congressional Black Caucus – to build upon the progress that Dr. King made on pressing issues that continue to challenge our country. Just recently, for instance, we secured the removal of a bust of Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, who authored the infamous Dred Scott decision upholding slavery in America, from the Capitol Building. That legislation also commissions a new bust of civil rights icon and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall for our Capitol. I look forward to continuing to work with Democrats in the 118th Congress to advance Dr. King's mission. Indeed, let us never forget, as Dr. King wisely once reminded us, that 'the time is always ripe to do right.'