Barbara Mikulski: “I rise to salute the life and legacy of Coretta Scott King. She earned a place not just in our history but in our…”

“I rise to salute the life and legacy of Coretta Scott King. She earned a place not just in our history but in our hearts. She was a true trailblazer for women, for the African- American community. She was an inspiration for all Americans. I feel privileged to have known Mrs. King throughout much of my political career. Her family is in my thoughts and prayers. Mrs. King's courage and faith were remarkable. She insisted that she had her own voice in the civil rights movement at a time when women were often not recognized for their own talents and merit. Not only was she resolute, but she was feisty--someone after my own heart. Mrs. King's life story was remarkable--even before she met Dr. King. She was born into rural poverty in Alabama and grew up in a two-room house that her father built. She came from a hard-working family. Her father hauled timber, owned a country store, and worked as a barber. Her mother drove a schoolbus. Growing up in the segregated South, Coretta Scott King saw the injustices of racial discrimination. Yet she saw the value in working hard and fighting for her dreams. She attended college and the New England Conservatory, where she trained as a classical musician. It was while studying music in Boston that she met Martin Luther King, Jr. From the beginning of their marriage, Coretta Scott King maintained her own identity and voice. She was Dr. King's true partner marching by his side and speaking out on her own.…”