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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Citizens throughout Texas and across the country are |
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celebrating the life of legendary civil rights leader Dr. Martin |
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Luther King, Jr., on January 15, 2007; and |
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WHEREAS, This day also marks the 20th anniversary of the San |
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Antonio MLK March, an event that encourages area Texans to take an |
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active role in remembering the myriad achievements of the famed |
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orator, clergyman, and humanitarian; and |
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WHEREAS, Born on January 15, 1929, Dr. King earned degrees |
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from Morehouse College, Crozer Theological Seminary, and Boston |
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University before becoming pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church |
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in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1954; and |
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WHEREAS, One of Dr. King's most memorable accomplishments |
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during the early years of his pastorship was organizing the bus |
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boycott in Montgomery, which eventually led the U.S. Supreme Court |
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to declare unconstitutional the laws requiring segregation on |
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buses; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1957, Dr. King was elected president of the |
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Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and it was through that |
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organization that much of his visionary platform for the promotion |
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of civil rights emerged; the next 11 years of his life were |
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dedicated to building his "coalition of conscience," a movement |
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that captured the nation's attention and instigated positive change |
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in the lives of countless Americans; and |
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WHEREAS, Dr. King is perhaps best remembered for his historic |
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"I Have a Dream" speech, which galvanized civil rights supporters |
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and helped to begin to bridge the gap between races in the United |
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States; and |
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WHEREAS, Steadfast in his commitment to fighting injustice |
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through nonviolent protest, this inspirational leader was awarded |
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the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, becoming the youngest person to |
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receive the honor; and |
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WHEREAS, The commemoration of Dr. King's life provides a |
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welcome opportunity to celebrate his legacy and to reaffirm our |
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commitment to the worthy ideals he sought to advance during his |
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lifetime; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr., Day on |
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January 15, 2007, and recognize the 20th anniversary of the San |
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Antonio MLK March. |