BySenators Nobles, Bateman, Boehnke, Braun, Chapman, Christian, Cleveland, Conway, Cortes, Dhingra, Frame, Gildon, Goehner, Hansen, Harris, Hasegawa, Holy, Kauffman, King, Krishnadasan, Liias, Lovelett, Lovick, MacEwen, McCune, Muzzall, Orwall, Pedersen, Ramos, Riccelli, Robinson, Saldaña, Schoesler, Shewmake, Short, Slatter, Stanford, Torres, Trudeau, Valdez, Wagoner, Warnick, and J. Wilson

WHEREAS, Today, the third Monday in January, we remember and honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a visionary leader and tireless advocate for justice, who devoted his life to breaking down barriers of inequality and inspiring generations to build a more inclusive and compassionate world; and

WHEREAS, Dr. King's courage and steadfast commitment to nonviolent resistance led to transformative victories, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which strengthened the foundation of justice and fairness in our nation; and

WHEREAS, Dr. King's eloquent words, as captured in iconic speeches like "I Have a Dream" and "Letter from Birmingham Jail," continue to uplift and inspire us to confront injustice, envisioning a future of equality and hope, reminding us that "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice"; and

WHEREAS, Through his leadership, Dr. King united millions in the fight against hatred and oppression, showing the extraordinary power of collective action rooted in love, dignity, and resolve; and

WHEREAS, The establishment of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday in 1983, achieved after 15 years of determined advocacy by leaders such as Coretta Scott King and the Congressional Black Caucus, stands as a powerful testament to the enduring strength of community and the belief that progress is always possible. The holiday was further embraced nationwide when recognized by all 50 states 17 years later, highlighting a shared commitment to honoring Dr. King's impact; and

WHEREAS, Observing Martin Luther King Jr. Day inspires reflection on the strides we have made toward equality and renews our commitment to creating a society that values justice and opportunity for everyone; and

WHEREAS, Washington state continues to champion the principles Dr. King fought for, striving to build communities where equity, inclusion, and human dignity prevail;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by recognizing his transformative contributions to the civil rights movement and his powerful message of equality, justice, and hope; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate urge all Washingtonians to honor Dr. King by taking actionable steps to address inequality, foster unity, and build a future where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.