2025 -- H 5059
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LC000206
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
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H O U S 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, 2025
Introduced By: Representatives Biah, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Hull, Chippendale,
Morales, Sanchez, Batista, Diaz, and DeSimone
Date Introduced: January 15, 2025
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, In the altruistic words of the esteemed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." He devoted his life to the advancement of 2
civil rights and social efforts that undo the systemic effects of white supremacy, and he helped to 3
move us closer to the ideals on which America was founded, as a nation of freedom and justice 4
for all; and 5
WHEREAS, Born on January 15, 1929, Dr. King grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, attending 6
segregated public schools. After earning his high school diploma, he started college at the age of 7
fifteen and went on to obtain his doctorate in 1955; and 8
WHEREAS, During his lifetime, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., changed the course of 9
history. He led a nonviolent revolution that would forever change the social and political 10
landscape of America; and 11
WHEREAS, The mirror that the Reverend Dr. King held before the national conscience 12
revealed the ugliness of racism and hatred that divided America throughout its history, and 13
neither the carnage of civil war, nor the self-examination that Dr. King forced upon the nation, 14
has fully eradicated the injustices which are still prevalent to this day; and 15
WHEREAS, This year marks the 39
th
Anniversary of the first nationwide observance of 16
the Martin Luther King, Jr., federal holiday, honoring one of the most influential and iconic 17
leaders of the civil rights movement. It is a time for the people of our state and the nation to 18
recognize Dr. King's teachings by embracing and promoting his tireless, undeniable efforts 19
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toward equality, and by finding ways to undo systemic economic and political injustice; now, 1
therefore be it 2
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 3
commemorates the birthday of the great Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We honor not only 4
the man and his accomplishments, but also the continuing process of social enlightenment he 5
founded which lives with us still, ever pressing us to move beyond what we are and what we 6
think we can be. A prophet of hope, Dr. King left a legacy which will live forever; and be it 7
further 8
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 9
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to all general office holders, members of the 10
Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, and the Martin Luther King, Jr., State Holiday 11
Commission. 12
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LC000206
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