John Conyers: “Today we have joined so many others in the Nation in honoring, in my judgment, our greatest American, Martin Luther…”

“Today we have joined so many others in the Nation in honoring, in my judgment, our greatest American, Martin Luther King, Jr. As the original author of the bill 4 days after his assassination, and one who worked on it for 15 years until it was passed in 1983, I am delighted to support and endorse the resolution of another supporter and one who worked closely with Dr. King, the gentleman from Georgia, John Lewis. It was an interesting time for me yesterday. Not only did City Year, a national service movement that has young people pledging to work in schools, parks, and neighborhoods full-time for 10 months, headed by their president, Penny Bailey, in which I delivered my remarks about Dr. King, but I was also at Central Methodist Church in downtown Detroit, where Dr. King frequently came for his Easter or the Friday before Easter addresses, and where I was honored on his last visit to be supported by his actual endorsement. And so I come here doubly proud of the fact that I was able to work with Dr. King as a young lawyer, but also to enjoy his support.”