Thomas E. Petri: “Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1933. While I by no means question the past important and successful work of…”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1933. While I by no means question the past important and successful work of the Commission, I feel its work is complete. We cannot and should not authorize the use of taxpayers' funds for the continuation of a commission that has done its job. All 50 States, the District of Columbia and the Federal Government now commemorate Dr. King's birthday and his legacy with a paid holiday. President's Day, Independence Day, Memorial Day, Veterans' Day, and other public holidays, all of which serve as equally important reminders of our national heritage, do not have holiday commission. There is no precedent for a commission of this type, much less the appropriation of Federal funds for its operation. No other Federal holiday has ever had anything similar. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1933 completely changes the original legislative purpose of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission, which was charged only with assisting in the first observance of the Federal legal holiday honoring Dr. King and his legacy.”