Congressman Cohen Statement Commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) plans to commemorate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday and Day of Service on Monday by encouraging everyone to read some of his stirring oratory and perform some community service in his memory. Congressman Cohen will spend part of the holiday at the National Civil Rights Museum which will have free admission.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday on Thursday, January 15th, and its commemoration as a federal holiday, on Monday, January 19th, are opportunities to contemplate the kind of nation he encouraged us to be. Dr. King was a multi-dimensional figure in American history – fighting poverty and militarism, along with systemic racism, bigotry and violations of civil rights – and said pointedly not to celebrate his birthday unless you’re willing to support what he lived and died for. The holiday is a time for quiet contemplation that should spur us to action.
“In his day, Dr. King was the conscience of the nation, teaching us the true meaning of character, fairness and justice. His ‘dream’ inspired a movement that continues to call for real change. Efforts to curb voting rights in the courts and in state legislatures show just how far from his dream we have strayed. We should continue to work to eliminate poverty, end unfair policing practices, ensure better access to health care, protect voting rights, assure the right of workers to organize, and be the Good Samaritan to our immigrant neighbors as he’d have wished. Let's renew our commitment to strive every day to meet Dr. King’s aspirations. As he said in Memphis the night before he died, ‘We have an opportunity to make America a better nation.’”
Congressman Cohen noted that the Trump administration ended the policy of free admission to the national parks on the Martin Luther King federal holiday and added Trump’s birthday, June 14, which is also Flag Day.
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