Mark Udall: “I rise to join in expressing my sorrow at the news of the death of Coretta Scott King and my support for the resolution…”

“I rise to join in expressing my sorrow at the news of the death of Coretta Scott King and my support for the resolution (H. Res. 655) now before us. By passing that resolution, the House of Representatives honors her life and accomplishments and her contributions as a leader in the struggle for civil rights, and expresses condolences to the King family on her passing. I wholeheartedly join in that expression of views shared not only by the House but by millions of Americans in Colorado and across the nation. Mrs. King was no stranger to our state. As noted in today's Denver Post, she paid her first visit to Denver in 1958 and returned to Colorado many times thereafter to further the cause of equality for which her husband and she labored for so long. Now, in the words of the Rocky Mountain News, our nation mourns her as a champion of freedom, and Coloradans join in that mourning. For the information of our colleagues, I attach an editorial and a news story from today's Denver daily newspapers. [From the Rocky Mountain News, Feb. 1, 2006] Nation Mourns Champion of Freedom Coretta Scott King, 78, died peacefully at a medical clinic in Mexico early Tuesday. While she may always be remembered as ``the widow of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,'' Mrs. King created an inspiring legacy of her own. Her tireless efforts convinced lawmakers to recognize her late husband's place in history with the national holiday that celebrates his birth.…”