Brian Jones: “I want to first thank my colleagues who joined me today. As Senator Scott said, we had hoped to do this in April on the…”

“I want to first thank my colleagues who joined me today. As Senator Scott said, we had hoped to do this in April on the anniversary of the writing of this letter. Unfortunately, the pandemic overtook us. But, as Senator Scott said, I don't think the timing could be any better than today. Just as last year when we did this, I am sure that each of my colleagues today will leave the floor with an even greater appreciation of Dr. King's legacy and I hope a better understanding of where America finds itself today. When we think of Dr. King, we usually see him on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial eloquently and passionately describing his dream for America or behind a pulpit in Memphis urging his audience to press forward, to not be discouraged in their quest for civil and equal rights because he had been to the mountaintop and he had seen the Promise Land. It is, frankly, somewhat astounding to read his thoughts that were read on the floor today and picture him in a small, dirty jail cell, writing in longhand on napkins and scraps of paper and newspaper to a group of ministers who were not hateful as much as they were questioning the need for action at that particular moment in 1963. There are some who would say that, to share my thoughts on our situation today, I need to move beyond a letter written in 1963, beyond a call of action so long ago.…”