CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -- SENATE

April 3, 1969

Page 8618

REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, tomorrow marks the first anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the great Americans of our time. We have not recovered from the shock of his slaying, and I doubt that we ever shall. It should be a constant reminder of the terrible wages of hatred and the frailty of man and his society in the face of evil.

We should also remember at this time the title and the message of the Urban Coalition-Urban America report on the aftermath of the Kerner Commission report -- "One Year Later."

One year later we have not done enough to correct the inequities Dr. King sought to correct in Memphis and other cities and towns across the Nation.

One year later we have not done enough to insure the rights and dignity of full participation in our society for those Dr. King led.

One year later we have not done enough to bring the peace to which Dr. King was so passionately committed.

One year later we have not achieved a national commitment to a free and open society, for which Dr. King died.

One year later, Mr. President, and every day of every year ahead, we must remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with deeds of compassion and commitment which are worthy of the leadership of this great American, who should be a leader for us all.

Mr. SCOTT. Mr. President, will the Senator yield?

Mr. MUSKIE. I yield.

Mr. SCOTT. Mr. President, I should like to join in the recognition of this anniversary and state that the example of all our fallen leaders, as prayed for by our Chaplain this morning, will always be an inspiration to all of us.

We have lost in this body, in the memory of most of us, two of our beloved colleagues. We have lost a great leader in Dr. King, and we have recently, this week, lost our beloved former President.

There is a common thread which runs through all our losses and that is not alone our personal experience with them but our recognition of what they meant to this country as they developed their leadership and appealed to that which is best in human nature.

Therefore, I speak with sympathy for the bereaved, for those who have gone, with respect for the memory of our fallen ones, with compassion for the things which they symbolized, and with the hope that their inspiration will live long with us and lead us to do those things the Republic expects of us, with honor, dignity, and all necessary dispatch.