William F. Smith: “I strongly support H. Res. 61, which observes and celebrates the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., and encourages the…”

“I strongly support H. Res. 61, which observes and celebrates the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., and encourages the people of the United States to celebrate his life and legacy. We should all thank Dr. King not only for his role in helping to end discrimination, but also for his role in helping to remove a stain on American history that had lingered far too long. Dr. King's commitment to nonviolent change never wavered. Between the time he assumed leadership of the Montgomery, AL, bus boycott in 1955, until his tragic assassination years later, Dr. King faced hundreds of death threats and a firebombing of his home with his wife and children inside. Still, he remained an unblinking beacon to all those who sought peaceful change. He grew from a person taught in segregated schools to a world leader who was awarded the Nobel Prize. Dr. King delivered his now famous speech entitled 'I Have a Dream' following a march of 250,000 people in Washington, DC.”