SENATE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF THE REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., ON JANUARY 15, 2026

S2187

2026 -- S 2187
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
COMMEMORATING THE CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF THE REVEREND DR.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., ON JANUARY 15, 2026

Introduced By:
Senators Mack, Tikoian, Raptakis, Felag, Zurier, Famiglietti, Dimitri,
Euer, Gallo, and Gu

Date Introduced:
January 20, 2026

Referred To:
Recommended for Immediate Consideration
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WHEREAS, In the altruistic words of the esteemed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
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"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." He devoted his life to the advancement of
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civil rights and social efforts that undo the systemic effects of white supremacy, and he helped to
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move us closer to the ideals on which America was founded, as a nation of freedom and justice
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for all; and
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WHEREAS, Born on January 15, 1929, Dr. King grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, attending
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segregated public schools. After earning his high school diploma, he started college at the age of
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fifteen and went on to obtain his doctorate in 1955; and
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WHEREAS, During his lifetime, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., changed the course of
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history. He led a nonviolent revolution that would forever change the social and political
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landscape of America; and
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WHEREAS, The mirror that the Reverend Dr. King held before the national conscience
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revealed the ugliness of racism and hatred that divided America throughout its history, and
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neither the carnage of civil war, nor the self-examination that Dr. King forced upon the nation,
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has fully eradicated the injustices which are still prevalent to this day; and
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WHEREAS, This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the first nationwide observance of
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the Martin Luther King, Jr., federal holiday, honoring one of the most influential and iconic
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leaders of the civil rights movement. It is a time for the people of our state and the nation to
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recognize Dr. King's teachings by embracing and promoting his tireless, undeniable efforts

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toward equality, and by finding ways to undo systemic economic and political injustice; now,
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therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby commemorates the
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birthday of the great Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We honor not only the man and his
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accomplishments, but also the continuing process of social enlightenment he founded which lives
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with us still, ever pressing us to move beyond what we are and what we think we can be. A
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prophet of hope, Dr. King left a legacy which will live forever; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to all general office holders, members of the
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Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, and the Martin Luther King, Jr., State Holiday
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Commission.
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