Cohen Statement in Recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

[MEMPHIS, TN] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) issued the following statement in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:

“When Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial more than 5 decades ago, he reminded the nation of the ‘fierce urgency of now.’ He reminded America of the pressing need to address injustice, inequality, and unfairness without delay. While great strides have been made over the last 50 years, we still have much work remaining. Whether it’s addressing income inequality, education, jobs, infant mortality, poverty, excessive police force, or the racially disparate impact that mandatory minimum sentences have on our communities, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day reminds us that we cannot cease or slow our work towards his goals.”

“As we commemorate and celebrate the life of Dr. King, let us each recommit to fulfilling his dream. While Dr. King’s assassination remains a painful memory for Memphis and a blemish in our nation’s history, we can still work to make sure his positive impact on our society grows rather than fades. Change cannot be achieved unless we work together, side-by-side, to help each other, to create instead of destroy. This Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, everyone can do their part to honor his legacy and help make justice a reality for all of God’s children.”