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SR8661 • 2026
Recognizing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Adopted.
Martin Luther King, Jr. day
WHEREAS, Today, on the third Monday of January, we observe Martin 1 Luther King, Jr. Day, honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther 2 King, Jr., and recommitting ourselves to the unfinished work he 3 demanded of the nation; and 4 WHEREAS, Dr. King taught that progress begins with clarity, 5 knowing exactly what justice requires and refusing to settle for 6 anything less, even in the face of division, delay, or discomfort; 7 and 8 WHEREAS, He displayed how justice is not achieved through 9 rhetoric alone, but through sustained effort, collective action, and 10 the discipline to maintain commitment to the work long after the 11 moment passes; and 12 WHEREAS, Dr. King and the civil rights movement demonstrated that 13 lasting change is won by persistence, by staying focused on the goal 14 and continuing forward despite obstacles, setbacks, and opposition; 15 and 16 WHEREAS, In challenging times, Dr. King's legacy reminds us that 17 progress depends on resolve — the determination to keep pushing until 18 fairness, opportunity, and dignity are fully realized; and19 WHEREAS, The observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day affirms 20 that the responsibility to advance justice belongs to each 21 generation, and that the work of equity requires both intention and 22 action; and 23 SENATE RESOLUTION 8661 By Senators Nobles, Bateman, Chapman, Cortes, Dhingra, Dozier, Kauffman, Lovelett, Lovick, Orwall, Pedersen, Riccelli, Robinson, Salomon, Shewmake, Slatter, Stanford, Valdez, Warnick, Wellman, J. Wilson, Conway, Hasegawa, Hunt, Wagoner, Cleveland, Hansen, King, Liias, Saldaña, Short, C. Wilson, Christian, Fortunato, Frame, and Trudeau p. 1 8661 WHEREAS, Washington state recognizes that building stronger, 1 more just communities requires focus, effort, and perseverance, 2 especially when progress feels difficult or uncertain;3 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State 4 Senate honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by affirming the 5 principle that justice is achieved when we define what we seek, 6 commit to the work required, and remain steadfast until progress 7 is won; and 8 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate call on all 9 Washingtonians to honor Dr. King's legacy by staying focused on 10 the goal of justice, doing the work necessary to achieve it, and 11 continuing forward, no matter the obstacles, until opportunity 12 and dignity are secured for all. 13 I, Sarah Bannister, Secretary of the Senate, 14 do hereby certify that this is a true and 15 correct copy of Senate Resolution 8661, 16 adopted by the Senate 17 February 16, 2026 18 SARAH BANNISTER 19 Secretary of the Senate 20 p. 2 8661