Today, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., an American hero and champion for freedom, equality and justice for all people. Dr. King challenged us to become better individuals, and in doing so to become a better nation. Today we need more than ever to dedicate ourselves to establishing real human fellowship – for the good of our children, for the good of our nation and for the good of the world.

Dr. King’s role in shaping the course of our nation cannot be understated. His message of hope and optimism inspired countless Americans to join him in the non-violent struggle to achieve equal justice for all. When others preached hate, he spoke of love. When others took up arms, he was a purveyor of peace. He motivated many of our world’s great leaders to join his struggle to bring equality to all people. Cesar Chavez, who I deeply respect, was inspired by Dr. King and was awarded the Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Prize.

We have clearly come a long way since Dr. King’s lifetime. His legacy has affected all people, regardless of race, gender or religion. We cannot, however, believe that Dr. King’s work is finished. Just as Dr. King struggled to achieve the peaceful integration of Americans over 50 years ago, today we continue that journey to become a more accepting and better people.

Sadly, 37 years after Dr. King’s death, a disproportionate number of Americans who are struggling to achieve the American dream are African Americans and Latinos. The schools in many areas of the country still lag behind those in affluent communities. A disproportionate number of those incarcerated are still minorities.

Here in our own community, there is work to do. Just last month our own Carter High School shut down due to fights where students chose sides based on race. When we are constantly tearing each other down, how can anyone get ahead? We must work together to become one community.

Dr. King said that he did not want to be remembered for his Nobel Peace Prize. He wanted to be remembered as "a drum major" in the march for the American dream. Today, we must recommit ourselves to march in this band. We must help our children realize that there is more hope in the world than hate, more opportunity than oppression, and more love than loss. We must commit ourselves to ensuring that all people have equal access to the American dream.

Today, as we celebrate Dr. King’s birthday, let us renew our commitment to Dr. King’s struggle. Dr. King said, “in the end we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” It is not enough to simply say we want to do better. We must take action.

We cannot rest until we enable every child to succeed and enjoy the opportunities of America. We cannot rest until every child learns how to read, and until every child who wants to go to college has the opportunity to do so. We cannot rest until there are men and women of every color who are leading the way, in every walk of life and in all the corridors of power.

Let us ensure that our friends, here in our own community, hear our actions loud and clear. We must not rest until Dr. King’s dream becomes a reality in every corner of this great nation.