U.S. House Adopts Platts Resolution to Promote the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday as a National Day of Service

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Todd Platts (PA-19) continued his efforts to boost volunteer service in communities across America this week with the adoption of House Resolution 1002, which he introduced to promote the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday as a National Day of Service.  

H. Res. 1002 was passed 379-0 by the United States House of Representatives Wednesday.  The bi-partisan legislation was also sponsored by Representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA-5), David Price (D-NC-4), and Vern Ehlers (R-MI-3), who serve with Congressman Platts as co-chairs of the National Service Caucus. 

 “I urge my fellow Members of Congress and constituents to take time out of their daily lives and give back to their communities,” Platts said.  “I cannot think of a more appropriate way to honor the heroic life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. than by serving one’s community and fellow citizens.”

Since the establishment of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Day in 1994, millions of Americans have recognized this holiday as “a day on, not a day off” by volunteering in soup kitchens, organizing charity drives, mentoring children or aiding in urban revitalization efforts.  A list of such volunteer opportunities is available at MLKDay.gov.

In addition to his service as co-chair of the National Service Caucus since January 2007, Congressman Platts is a cosponsor of a resolution to promote the ideals of “National Volunteer Week of 2009” (H. Res. 335); a resolution to support the goals of “The Learn and Serve Challenge” (H. Res. 769), which enables over 1.5 million students to contribute to their community while building academic and civic skills; and a resolution to recognize and raise awareness for the accomplishments and importance of AmeriCorps (H.Res. 453).  All of these resolutions were passed by the House in the first session of the 111th Congress.  Congressman Platts is also an active community volunteer in his own right, regularly participating in service events across the 19th Congressional District.