Lawmakers August 4, 1983 - Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.
Lawmakers August 4, 1983 - Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.
Lawmakers August 4, 1983 - Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.
Lawmakers August 4, 1983 - Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.
Paul Duke introduces a report on the drive for Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.
Lawmakers August 4, 1983 - Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.
Representative Newt Gingrich (R Georgia) without Martin Luther King Jr, the advances in ending segregation and establishing civil rights would almost certainly not have occurred. While Dr. King was Black and the fight to end segregation directly affect the Black community, his birthday should be celebrated by all American as a demonstration of the virtues of freedom and a free society.
Lawmakers August 4, 1983 - Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.
Representative Wyche Fowler Jr (D Georgia) Mr. Speaker, I believe that history will attest that the greatness of a nation is not measured by the esteem in which it holds its politicians and its generals, but how it treats its prophets and its poets. Martin Luther King Jr was a prophet, a poet, and a patriot.
Lawmakers August 4, 1983 - Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.
Representative Bill Alexander (D Arkansas) Martin Luther King struggled so that all citizens could share in the aspiration of the American dream. And he gave his life for dignity, for equality and for justice.
Lawmakers August 4, 1983 - Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.
Representative Ed Bethune (R Arkansas) I think that this holiday for Martin Luther King will give us an annual opportunity to re-commit ourselves to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Lawmakers August 4, 1983 - Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.
Representative Bill Dannemeyer (R California) We have 9 holidays in this country. 3 of them relate to recognition of persons, Washington s birthday, Columbus Day and Christmas Day. These members who we recognize on those 3 days are of course noted in history. I question whether or not the contribution of Martin Luther King Jr is equal I stature to those 3 persons that I have mentioned that we have presently in our law recognized as holidays.
Lawmakers August 4, 1983 - Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.
Representative Dan Crane (R Illinois) We are already facing a huge budget deficit if not the largest in the 208 years of our history and every effort we can make in holding the line of these types of expenditures should be exercised. The cost of a national holiday on a regular work day is estimated at $237 million, including the premium page of those individuals who would receive it. Representative Parren Mitchell (D Maryland) You talk about cost. What about the cost to my race under that system of segregation that was so rigid in this nation. You talk about cost. What about the cost to my life when I have to endure what this nation put on me as a Black man. Cost becomes irrelevant in this business and I certainly hope we don t hear any more talk about it. I thank you for yielding.
Lawmakers August 4, 1983 - Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.
Representative Mickey Edwards (R Oklahoma) I agree with the gentleman from Maryland, Mr. Mitchell. This issue transcends the cost of one holiday. This is an issue that goes to the heart of what America is all about. What this resolution celebrates is what we as Republicans and conservatives believe in. And I ask all of my colleagues to vote for it.
Lawmakers August 4, 1983 - Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.
Representative Dan Lungren (R California) and if this day does nothing else but give us one day to reflect, one day to pray, one day to think about and remember the commitment we all have than it will be worth it no matter the cost.
Lawmakers August 4, 1983 - Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.
Representative Jack Kemp (R New York) I ve changed my position on this vote because I really think that the American Revolution will not be complete until we commemorate the Civil Rights revolution which the gentleman from California suggested is that point and time which we can truly say here is one Nation, one People, one Family, one Country dedicated to rights not only for Americans but for all people throughout this world. I want to see my party stand for that.
Lawmakers August 4, 1983 - Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.
Members of the House asking for their remarks to be entered in the record. Representative Carroll Hubbard Jr (D Kentucky) Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the bill and I ask unanimous consent to revise and my remarks. Representative Sander Levin (D Michigan) I rise in support of this resolution and ask to extend and revise my remarks.
Lawmakers August 4, 1983 - Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.
Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill (D Massachusetts) The decision we make in the House today, is not on Martin Luther King s place in history. That place in history is already secure. He grows stronger each day. What we must decide is whether we want to ratify the decision of history or to remain silent. And I urge my colleagues not to remain silent but to give to this great man the official honor that history has already bestowed on him.
Lawmakers August 4, 1983 - Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.
Paul Duke, Linda Wertheimer, and Cokie Roberts discuss the bill's prospects in Senate. Discussion of the "momentum" of Congress going into the summer recess-reaching accord on budget and economy, but acrimony building on foreign policy.
Lawmakers August 4, 1983 - Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.
Paul Duke signs off.
Lawmakers August 4, 1983 - Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.
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