WHEREAS,  January 15, 2018 marks the national and state holiday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., commemorating his birth on January 15, 1929; and

WHEREAS,  Martin Luther King, Jr., advocated the furtherance of civil and human rights for Americans through nonviolent acts of civil disobedience; and

WHEREAS,  this man of powerful voice and spirit showed this country a dream of "an oasis of freedom and justice"; and

WHEREAS,  for his tireless work to ensure equality and justice, Dr. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, a high and honorable distinction, in 1964; and

WHEREAS,  his eloquence, his perseverance and his faith moved mountains and brought about sweeping changes by appealing to the better instincts and consciences of his fellow human beings; and

WHEREAS,  this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Memphis sanitation workers strike, which lasted from February 11, 1968 to April 16, 1968 and which Dr. King declared to be a major part of the Poor People's Campaign, an effort to gain economic justice for poor Americans of diverse backgrounds; and

WHEREAS,  during the strike, Dr. King delivered to the strikers his last speech, "I've Been to the Mountaintop," calling for unity, economic actions, boycotts and nonviolent protest while challenging the United States to live up to its ideals; and

WHEREAS,  the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., which ended so tragically on April 4, 1968, is a shining example to Americans and citizens of the world at large of uncompromising dedication to democratic values; now, therefore, be it