| This week we remember and celebrate the life and lessons taught to us by one of America’s greatest pioneers and champions of civil rights - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Though Dr. King is no longer here on Earth to see the legacy his dream created, his spirit continues to inspire generations in this country and throughout the world.
Dr. King once wrote, ‘injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,’ and he was right. The presence of injustice puts us and our ideals in jeopardy. Dr. King gave his life fighting for justice and I believe we should carry out that legacy. We have much to learn from Dr. King. He taught us that no matter who we are or where we come from, we are all capable of achieving great things, even when faced with overwhelming obstacles.
Dr. King led a lifetime of relentless perseverance to achieve the ultimate goal - equality among all races – and pursued his quest through an unyielding dedication to non-violence. He was assassinated for daring to dream – daring to dream that all of us could live in a land free of segregation - a land blind to the color of a person’s skin. Dr. King inspired the world and led by example.
Much of what Dr. King and his vision sought to overcome has occurred and this country has improved for the better due to him. However, we still have much work towards achieving so much that Dr. King fought for, like a national commitment to ending poverty. Right now, a full-time minimum wage worker brings home just $10,712, which is $6,000 below the poverty level for a family of three, and something no working family should have to endure.
During the first week of the 110th Congress, I was proud to vote to raise the minimum wage from $5.15 and hour to $7.25. According to the Department of Labor statistics, this will benefit the approximate 113,000 hard working citizens in Arkansas who currently earn the minimum wage.
As we commemorate Dr. King’s legacy we must also carry out his dream. I urge all of us to take the time and reflect on Dr. King’s dream and continue to be a part of keeping that dream alive. It is with tremendous respect and admiration that I salute Dr. King for all he stood for and all he did to forever change America for the better. |
