Back of letter from Leroy Hart Bibbs, Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, 1994

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MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., FEDERAL HOLIDAY, 1994 ---------------------- BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STAES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION On January 15, 1929, Martin Luther King, Jr., was born, destined to make our world a greater and more noble one. Growing up in a landscape disfigured with “Colored Only” and “White Only” signs and a society rife with other demeaning racial barriers and distinctions, Martin Luther King, Jr. sadly learned that the Constitution’s guarantee of equality was denied to most black Americans. He dedicated his life to ending the injustice of racism, gracing the world with his vision of a land guided by love instead of hatred and by acceptance instead of intolerance. Three decades ago, Dr. King described his goals most eloquently in his famous “I have a Dream” speech at the historic Civil rights March on Washington. The impassioned plea that rose from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial that summer day stirred the entire Nation, awakening people everywhere to turn from the scourge of racism to embrace the promise of opportunity and democracy for all. He prophetically described a future in which our children are judged “not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their Character”. His unparalleled commitment to justice and nonvoice Challenged us to look deeply within ourselves to find the roots of Racism. Throughout his all to brief life, Martin Luther King, Jr. often confronted powerful and even violent opposition, sacrificing his liberty, his personal safety, and, ultimately, his life for the cause of freedom. Though an assassin’s bullet silenced him forever at the young age of 39, Dr. King’s words and deeds continue to live on within each of us. We, the inheritors of the fundamental rights he helped to secure, are forever grateful for his legacy. Today, we live in a nation that is stronger because of Dr. King’s work. Unfortunately, there is still much division in this great land. Even though the signs that once segregated our communities have been removed, we are still far from achieving the world for which Dr. King struggled, toiled, and bled. He did not live and die to create a world in which people kill each other with reckless abandon. He did not live and die to see families destroyed, to see communities abandoned, and to see hope disappear. If we are to be faithful responsi to fulfi be won, the quie and hum us, not inscrbi the value NOW, United S me by th proclaim Jr. Fed States Ceremonies, and activities. NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Monday, January 17, 1994, as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday. I call upon the people of the United States to observe the occasion with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and eighteenth. WILLIAM J. CLINTON

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Typed document from President Clinton, attached to the back of a letter from Leroy Hart Bibbs to James Emanuel. President Clinton declares January 17 a federal holiday, dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr.

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  • type
    Image
  • created on
  • file format
    jpg
  • file size
    165 kB
  • container title
    James A. Emanuel Papers
  • creator
    President Clinton
  • issue
    Box 13 Folder 3 Bibbs, Hart Leroy, 1991-1994
  • rights
    James A. Emanuel Estate
  • rights holder
    James A. Emanuel Estate
  • version
    Undated