Bishop Statement on Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) released the following statement today to commemorate the upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday, January 16, 2012. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a federal holiday observed on the third Monday of January each year to mark the birthday of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“As our nation prepares to observe the upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, it is important that we all reflect upon and applaud the many outstanding achievements of this great American patriot and iconic humanitarian.

“With his life he proved that non-violence is an effective way of perfecting social change. His leadership helped propel our nation from the dark and regressive grips of the Jim Crow era to a more enlightened period where the goals of achieving equal opportunity and respect for universal human rights are now becoming more intricately woven into our society.

“The overarching message of his legacy to current generations and generations yet unborn should be that Dr. King’s achievements helped make our union a more perfect union. Moreover, his achievements are yet working to ensure the promise of our constitution to protect the rights of all Americans and embrace the goal of freedom and equality for all mankind.”