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Martin Luther King Birthday 1/17/92 [OA 6096] [2]
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Speech File Draft Files
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13599-008
Folder Title:
Martin Luther King Birthday 1/17/92 [OA 6096] [2]
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Document No. 299316ss
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
92 JAN 16 AlO :- 49
DATE.
1/15/92
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: THURS. 1/16/92 11:00am
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: M.L. KING BIRTHDAY
SUBJECT:
ATLANTA, GA - - FRIDAY, 1/17/92
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
-
VICE PRESIDENT
HORNER
-
SKINNER
MCCLURE
SCOWCROFT
PETERSMEYER
DARMAN
PORTER
BRADY
ROGICH
BROMLEY
SMITH
FINDLAY
CARD
DEMAREST
SNOW
FITZWATER
GRAY
HOLIDAY
REMARKS:
Please forward your comments directly to Tony Snow, Rm. 122, x2930,
no later than 11:00 a.m., THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, with a copy to this
office. Thank you.
RESPONSE: THIS NEEDS to BE A SPEECH WITH A LOFTER TONE. MLK INSPIRED
PEOPLE TO BREAM FOR A BETTER WORLD. WE SHOULD BE
DOSITIVE of INSPIRATIONAL, VEGAS TO BE MIRE LIKE
A MCK ferman IN goit WORDS-
PHILLIP D. BRADY
RATHAR THAN NOVALE ARRUNA THE
Assistant to the President
and Staff Secretary
Engas ID FTART OVER.
Ext. 2702
(Ferguson/Simon)
January 15 , 1992
Draft 3
92 JAN 15 All : 4 7
KING
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: M.L. KING BIRTHDAY
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1992
10:00 A.M.
It is an honor to stand at this glorious "living memorial,"
here in Martin Luther King's hometown, just steps from his
birthplace and from his pulpit, to talk about the promise of his
life. We all know of his eloquence; his "Letter from
?
touched
Birmingham Jail" and his "I Have a Dream" speech seared our souls
with their anguish, and with their hope and love. Dr. King
articulated the deeper yearnings of his countrymen better than
any American since Lincoln. CAN'T QUALIFY THIS
Even so, it is hard for us, almost a quarter of a century
after his death, to comprehend fully the hostility that
confronted Martin Luther King during his life, or the courage
with which he surmounted hatred and mistrust. We might forget,
too, the loneliness of his struggle. Think of the early days of
the civil rights movement, when organizers of the Montgomery bus
boycott called him as their leader. In his book "Stride Toward
Freedom" he wrote of sitting alone at the kitchen table late one
night during that lonely time, and saying aloud: "I've come to
the point where I can't face it alone." But almost at once his
fear and uncertainty began to melt away; an "inner voice," as he
called it, spoke to him. It told him to continue to do what he
knew to be right.
2
And so he did. America is a different country today
better country, because of the faith Martin Luther King had in
the American people. Dr. King faced a nation disfigured by a
kind of homegrown apartheid that twisted the force of law to
too
segregate some Americans from others, depriving them of even the
anyubon
rudiments of common citizenship. Jim Crow was quite simply un-
American, an insult to the American creed, and Dr. King knew it.
But He also knew that if he expressed this truth forcefully,
in the passionate language of the Bible and the Declaration of
RESPOND
Independence, the American people would come around. And sure
enough, in time most of those legal barriers he had labored
against came tumbling down. Martin Luther King's era was a
tumultuous period for his country. To a large extent he was the
REMAINED
architect of the best of what was left when the tumult was
through. Today we have a battery of laws dedicated to a
colorblind America; we have a renewed commitment from government
to enforce the basic rights of its citizens. Perhaps most
remarkably of all, we've seen a change in the hearts of many
Americans, who set aside old prejudices and stereotypes to
embrace the values Dr. King beseeched us to embrace, the values
of tolerance and decency and mutual respect.
Unfortunately, we can overstate this spiritual change in our
national life, as some are prone to do, Racism and bigotry,
blind hatred and intolerance still exist in our land. Even
too
Martin Luther King S memory has been perverted in their service.
A recent popular music video intersperses footage of Dr. King's
why
raise
3
nonviolent struggle for equal rights with scenes of paramilitary
assaults and the assassination of public officials.
There is no place in America for this kind of vulgar and
outrageous exploitation. + I salute the work of you, Mrs. King,
and of all your colleagues at the King Center in training young
people in Dr. King's principles of nonviolence and peaceful
change. As president I have dedicated myself and my
administration to rooting out discrimination wherever it exists.
We will continue to do SO. But the struggle for civil rights
cannot stop there. Yes, most of the legal barriers that blocked
Dr. King and other black Americans for hundreds of years have
been swept away. But other intractable barriers remain. Even
now, many Americans aren't given a fair chance to make good on
their dreams.
In his landmark desegregation decision, Brown versus Board
of Education, Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote: "The road to
progress for the victims of past discrimination is equal and
excellent education." Can any of us -- within government or
without -- say that we have truly cleared this road to progress?
Education forms character, disciplines the mind, and bestows the
virtues of citizenship. It provides the child with the skills
necessary to gain access to the ladder of economic advancement.
Yet this kind of "equal and excellent" education is today beyond
the reach of most of our children.
That is why I have made the top-to-bottom transformation of
shrip
American education the priority of this administration. Yes, it's
not
into
Program
milling
4
a question of economic competitiveness in the global economy, as
others have said. But it's something more, too. Martin Luther
King believed that civil rights is at bottom about equal
opportunity in this, the land of opportunity. That means
educational excellence must be an essential goal of all who care
about civil rights. As Dr. King himself wrote: If education
is
more than ever the passport to decent economic positions."
How do we get there? Here's one way. Last spring, we
launched our comprehensive America 2000 strategy for changing
America's schools This was our first goal: By the year 2000,
nups
every American child must start school ready to learn.
Accordingly, in the budget I will submit later this month, I will
ask Congress to fully fund Head Start for the first time in the
program's history. Fully funded, Head Start will get at
disadvantaged children early and bring them up to the educational
starting line, right along with advantaged kids who haven't faced
some of the same difficulties. By preparing them for the often
traumatic transition to elementary school, it will provide them
with an equal shot at receiving an excellent education.
There are other ways. We must establish and maintain the
highest educational standards. Let our kids know what we expect
from them, and you can be sure they won't let us down. This is a
task not only for schools but for parents, too. Dr. King spoke
often of the need to set high standards and stick to them. "We
must constantly stimulate our youth to rise above the stagnant
level of mediocrity," he wrote, "and seek to achieve excellence
5
in their various fields of endeavor." Just as important, we must
ensure that our schools are places where educational excellence
can be achieved. We must liberate every last one of them from
the scourge of violence and drugs.
But educational excellence, by itself, isn't enough. Our
children must emerge from school into a vibrant and growing
economy. Economic growth, the steady expansion of economic
opportunity for all our citizens, is no less a civil rights issue
than education. It "makes real the promises of democracy." A
truly free marketplace -- free of needless government mandates
and high taxes, free of bureaucrats vainly trying to pick winners
and losers -- doesn't recognize skin color or gender or ethnic
origin. It rewards diligence, initiative, perseverance, good
will. And as Dr. King knew, these are qualities not restricted to
a few but liberally granted by God to all his children.
There is an unfortunate irony here. The civil rights
movement began with the basics -- quality education and economic
opportunity. These are the two essential keys to the American
dream of strong families and wholesome communities. Yet for all
our success in conquering the legal barriers to equal rights --
though more work is needed here as well -- these basic hopes
remain unfulfilled. Our schools fail our children. Our economy
doesn't provide sufficient opportunity for all our citizens.
This is the unfinished business of civil rights. Our
country is not yet the "welcome table" Dr. King dreamed it could
be, where all Americans can eat and never be hungry, drink and
6
never be thirsty. But with your continuing commitment and help,
we will meet these great challenges and make real the dream of
Martin Luther King.
Thank you all, and now I will sign the Martin Luther King
Holiday proclamation.
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
92 JAN 15 pl: 37
WASHINGTON
January 15, 1992
MEMORANDUM FOR TONY SNOW
FROM:
John S. Gardner J.S.B. d.
SUBJECT:
King Birthday Remarks
This was a really nice speech, and I have just three
comments:
Page 1, first para.: When I was at HHS, I attended the ceremony
there for the King Holiday. The speaker made the point that he's
often called "Dr. King," but rarely his real title -- "the
Reverend Dr. King." I think we're on strong ground pointing out
that he was a minister and that so many of his actions in the
civil rights movement sprang from his faith. We should also
refer to King once as "Jr., " to give the audience a subtle
reminder that the President knows of the important work of Daddy
King. Hence the slight change.
Page 5, second full para., line 2: Without some addition like I
have marked, this implies that the only goals of the civil rights
movement were education and economic opportunity. Instead, the
first goal was just that, civil rights like the right to vote,
assemble peacefully, and enjoy equal access to public amenities
such as bus service, water fountains, and restaurants.
Page 6, last para.: This is the correct title of the
proclamation.
Thanks.
(Ferguson/Simon)
January 15 / 1992
Draft 3
KING
92 JAN15
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: M.L. KING BIRTHDAY
hometown of Dr.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1992
10:00 A.M.
the is an the Rev.
It honor to stand at this glorious "living memorial,"
here in Martin Luther King's hometown, just steps from his
birthplace and from his pulpit, to talk about the promise of his
life. We all know of his eloquence; his "Letter from a
Birmingham Jail" and his "I Have a Dream" speech seared our souls
with their anguish, and with their hope and love. Dr. King
articulated the deeper yearnings of his countrymen better than
any American since Lincoln.
Even so, it is hard for us, almost a quarter of a century
after his death, to comprehend fully the hostility that
confronted Martin Luther King during his life, or the courage
with which he surmounted hatred and mistrust. We might forget,
too, the loneliness of his struggle. Think of the early days of
the civil rights movement, when organizers of the Montgomery bus
boycott called him as their leader. In his book "Stride Toward
Freedom" he wrote of sitting alone at the kitchen table late one
night during that lonely time, and saying aloud: "I've come to
the point where I can't face it alone." But almost at once his
fear and uncertainty began to melt away; an "inner voice," as he
called it, spoke to him. It told him to continue to do what he
knew to be right.
2
And so he did. America is a different country today -- a
better country, because of the faith Martin Luther King had in
the American people. Dr. King faced a nation disfigured by a
kind of homegrown apartheid that twisted the force of law to
segregate some Americans from others, depriving them of even the
rudiments of common citizenship. Jim Crow was quite simply un-
American, an insult to the American creed, and Dr. King knew it.
But he also knew that if he expressed this truth forcefully,
in the passionate language of the Bible and the Declaration of
Independence, the American people would come around. And sure
enough, in time most of those legal barriers he had labored
against came tumbling down. Martin Luther King's era was a
tumultuous period for his country. To a large extent he was the
architect of the best of what was left when the tumult was
through. Today we have a battery of laws dedicated to a
colorblind America; we have a renewed commitment from government
to enforce the basic rights of its citizens. Perhaps most
remarkably of all, we've seen a change in the hearts of many
Americans, who set aside old prejudices and stereotypes to
embrace the values Dr. King beseeched us to embrace, the values
of tolerance and decency and mutual respect.
Unfortunately, we can overstate this spiritual change in our
national life, as some are prone to do. Racism and bigotry,
blind hatred and intolerance still exist in our land. Even
Martin Luther King's memory has been perverted in their service.
A recent popular music video intersperses footage of Dr. King's
3
nonviolent struggle for equal rights with scenes of paramilitary
assaults and the assassination of public officials.
There is no place in America for this kind of vulgar and
outrageous exploitation. I salute the work of you, Mrs. King,
and of all your colleagues at the King Center in training young
people in Dr. King's principles of nonviolence and peaceful
change. As president I have dedicated myself and my
administration to rooting out discrimination wherever it exists.
We will continue to do so. But the struggle for civil rights
cannot stop there. Yes, most of the legal barriers that blocked
Dr. King and other black Americans for hundreds of years have
been swept away. But other intractable barriers remain. Even
now, many Americans aren't given a fair chance to make good on
their dreams.
In his landmark desegregation decision, Brown versus Board
of Education, Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote: "The road to
progress for the victims of past discrimination is equal and
excellent education." Can any of us -- within government or
without -- say that we have truly cleared this road to progress?
Education forms character, disciplines the mind, and bestows the
virtues of citizenship. It provides the child with the skills
necessary to gain access to the ladder of economic advancement.
Yet this kind of "equal and excellent" education is today beyond
the reach of most of our children.
That is why I have made the top-to-bottom transformation of
American education the priority of this administration. Yes, it's
4
a question of economic competitiveness in the global economy, as
others have said. But it's something more, too. Martin Luther
King believed that civil rights is at bottom about equal
opportunity in this, the land of opportunity. That means
educational excellence must be an essential goal of all who care
about civil rights. As Dr. King himself wrote: "
education is
more than ever the passport to decent economic positions."
How do we get there? Here's one way. Last spring, we
launched our comprehensive America 2000 strategy for changing
America's schools. This was our first goal: By the year 2000,
every American child must start school ready to learn.
Accordingly, in the budget I will submit later this month, I will
ask Congress to fully fund Head Start for the first time in the
program's history. Fully funded, Head Start will get at
disadvantaged children early and bring them up to the educational
starting line, right along with advantaged kids who haven't faced
some of the same difficulties. By preparing them for the often
traumatic transition to elementary school, it will provide them
with an equal shot at receiving an excellent education.
There are other ways. We must establish and maintain the
highest educational standards. Let our kids know what we expect
from them, and you can be sure they won't let us down. This is a
task not only for schools but for parents, too. Dr. King spoke
often of the need to set high standards and stick to them. "We
must constantly stimulate our youth to rise above the stagnant
level of mediocrity," he wrote, "and seek to achieve excellence
5
in their various fields of endeavor." Just as important, we must
ensure that our schools are places where educational excellence
can be achieved. We must liberate every last one of them from
the scourge of violence and drugs.
But educational excellence, by itself, isn't enough. Our
children must emerge from school into a vibrant and growing
economy. Economic growth, the steady expansion of economic
opportunity for all our citizens, is no less a civil rights issue
than education. It "makes real the promises of democracy." A
truly free marketplace -- free of needless government mandates
and high taxes, free of bureaucrats vainly trying to pick winners
and losers -- doesn't recognize skin color or gender or ethnic
origin. It rewards diligence, initiative, perseverance, good
will. And as Dr. King knew, these are qualities not restricted to
a few but liberally granted by God to all his children.
There is an unfortunate irony here. The civil rights
movement began with the basics -- quality education and economic
opportunity. These are the two essential keys to the American
dream of strong families and wholesome communities. Yet for all
our success in conquering the legal barriers to equal rights --
though more work is needed here as well -- these basic hopes
remain unfulfilled. Our schools fail our children. Our economy
doesn't provide sufficient opportunity for all our citizens.
This is the unfinished business of civil rights. Our
country is not yet the "welcome table" Dr. King dreamed it could
be, where all Americans can eat and never be hungry, drink and
will nights like the right
to Note and take part pully in public life
6
never be thirsty. But with your continuing commitment and help,
we will meet these great challenges and make real the dream of
Martin Luther King.
Thank you all, and now I will sign the Martin Luther King &. Federal
Holiday proclamation.
# # #
(Ferguson/Simon)
January 15 , 1992
Draft 3
KING
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: M.L. KING BIRTHDAY
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1992
10:00 A.M.
It is an honor to stand at this glorious "living memorial,"
here in Martin Luther King's hometown, just steps from his
birthplace and from his pulpit, to talk about the promise of his
life. We all know of his eloquence; his "Letter from a
Birmingham Jail" and his "I Have a Dream" speech seared our souls
with their anguish, and with their hope and love. Dr. King
articulated the deeper yearnings of his countrymen better than
any American since Lincoln.
Even so, it is hard for us, almost a quarter of a century
after his death, to comprehend fully the hostility that
confronted Martin Luther King during his life, or the courage
with which he surmounted hatred and mistrust. We might forget,
too, the loneliness of his struggle. Think of the early days of
the civil rights movement, when organizers of the Montgomery bus
boycott called him as their leader. In his book "Stride Toward
Freedom" he wrote of sitting alone at the kitchen table late one
night during that lonely time, and saying aloud: "I've come to
the point where I can't face it alone." But almost at once his
fear and uncertainty began to melt away; an "inner voice," as he
called it, spoke to him. It told him to continue to do what he
knew to be right.
2
And so he did. America is a different country today -- a
better country, because of the faith Martin Luther King had in
the American people. Dr. King faced a nation disfigured by a
kind of homegrown apartheid that twisted the force of law to
segregate some Americans from others, depriving them of even the
rudiments of common citizenship. Jim Crow was quite simply un-
American, an insult to the American creed, and Dr. King knew it.
But he also knew that if he expressed this truth forcefully,
in the passionate language of the Bible and the Declaration of
Independence, the American people would come around. And sure
enough, in time most of those legal barriers he had labored
against came tumbling down. Martin Luther King's era was a
tumultuous period for his country. To a large extent he was the
architect of the best of what was left when the tumult was
through. Today we have a battery of laws dedicated to a
colorblind America; we have a renewed commitment from government
to enforce the basic rights of its citizens. Perhaps most
remarkably of all, we've seen a change in the hearts of many
Americans, who set aside old prejudices and stereotypes to
embrace the values Dr. King beseeched us to embrace, the values
of tolerance and decency and mutual respect.
Unfortunately, we can overstate this spiritual change in our
national life, as some are prone to do. Racism and bigotry,
blind hatred and intolerance still exist in our land. Even
Martin Luther King's memory has been perverted in their service.
A recent popular music video intersperses footage of Dr. King's
3
nonviolent struggle for equal rights with scenes of paramilitary
assaults and the assassination of public officials.
There is no place in America for this kind of vulgar and
outrageous exploitation. I salute the work of you, Mrs. King,
and of all your colleagues at the King Center in training young
people in Dr. King's principles of nonviolence and peaceful
change. As president I have dedicated myself and my
administration to rooting out discrimination wherever it exists.
We will continue to do so. But the struggle for civil rights
cannot stop there. Yes, most of the legal barriers that blocked
Dr. King and other black Americans for hundreds of years have
been swept away. But other intractable barriers remain. Even
now, many Americans aren't given a fair chance to make good on
their dreams.
In his landmark desegregation decision, Brown versus Board
of Education, Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote: "The road to
progress for the victims of past discrimination is equal and
excellent education." Can any of us -- within government or
without -- say that we have truly cleared this road to progress?
Education forms character, disciplines the mind, and bestows the
virtues of citizenship. It provides the child with the skills
necessary to gain access to the ladder of economic advancement.
Yet this kind of "equal and excellent" education is today beyond
the reach of most of our children.
That is why I have made the top-to-bottom transformation of
American education the priority of this administration. Yes, it's
4
a question of economic competitiveness in the global economy, as
others have said. But it's something more, too. Martin Luther
King believed that civil rights is at bottom about equal
opportunity in this, the land of opportunity. That means
educational excellence must be an essential goal of all who care
about civil rights. As Dr. King himself wrote: " education
is
more than ever the passport to decent economic positions."
How do we get there? Here's one way. Last spring, we
launched our comprehensive America 2000 strategy for changing
America's schools. This was our first goal: By the year 2000,
every American child must start school ready to learn.
Accordingly, in the budget I will submit later this month, I will
ask Congress to fully fund Head Start for the first time in the
program's history. Fully funded, Head Start will get at
disadvantaged children early and bring them up to the educational
starting line, right along with advantaged kids who haven't faced
some of the same difficulties. By preparing them for the often
traumatic transition to elementary school, it will provide them
with an equal shot at receiving an excellent education.
There are other ways. We must establish and maintain the
highest educational standards. Let our kids know what we expect
from them, and you can be sure they won't let us down. This is a
task not only for schools but for parents, too. Dr. King spoke
often of the need to set high standards and stick to them. "We
must constantly stimulate our youth to rise above the stagnant
level of mediocrity," he wrote, "and seek to achieve excellence
5
in their various fields of endeavor." Just as important, we must
ensure that our schools are places where educational excellence
can be achieved. We must liberate every last one of them from
the scourge of violence and drugs.
But educational excellence, by itself, isn't enough. Our
children must emerge from school into a vibrant and growing
economy. Economic growth, the steady expansion of economic
opportunity for all our citizens, is no less a civil rights issue
than education. It "makes real the promises of democracy." A
truly free marketplace -- free of needless government mandates
and high taxes, free of bureaucrats vainly trying to pick winners
and losers -- doesn't recognize skin color or gender or ethnic
origin. It rewards diligence, initiative, perseverance, good
will. And as Dr. King knew, these are qualities not restricted to
a few but liberally granted by God to all his children.
There is an unfortunate irony here. The civil rights
movement began with the basics -- quality education and economic
opportunity. These are the two essential keys to the American
dream of strong families and wholesome communities. Yet for all
our success in conquering the legal barriers to equal rights --
though more work is needed here as well -- these basic hopes
remain unfulfilled. Our schools fail our children. Our economy
doesn't provide sufficient opportunity for all our citizens.
This is the unfinished business of civil rights. Our
country is not yet the "welcome table" Dr. King dreamed it could
be, where all Americans can eat and never be hungry, drink and
6
never be thirsty. But with your continuing commitment and help,
we will meet these great challenges and make real the dream of
Martin Luther King.
Thank you all, and now I will sign the Martin Luther King
Holiday proclamation.
# # #
Document No. 299316ss
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
32 JAN 16 P2:32
DATE:
1/15/92
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: THURS. 1/16/92 11:00 am
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: M.L. KING BIRTHDAY
ATLANTA, GA - FRIDAY, 1/17/92
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
-
VICE PRESIDENT
HORNER
-
SKINNER
MCCLURE
1
SCOWCROFT
PETERSMEYER
DARMAN
PORTER
BRADY
ROGICH
BROMLEY
SMITH
FINDLAY
CARD
SNOW
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
-
GRAY
HOLIDAY
REMARKS:
Please forward your comments directly to Tony Snow, Rm. 122, x2930,
no later than 11:00 a.m., THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, with a copy to this
office. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
See comments
PHILLIP D. BRADY
Assistant to the President
and Staff Secretary
Ext. 2702
(Ferguson/Simon)
January 15 , 1992
Draft 3
92 JAN 15 All : 4 7
KING
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: M.L. KING BIRTHDAY
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1992
10:00 A.M.
It is an honor to stand at this glorious "living memorial,"
here in Martin Luther King's hometown, just steps from his
birthplace and from his pulpit, to talk about the promise of his
life. We all know of his eloquence; his "Letter from a
Birmingham Jail" and his "I Have a Dream" speech seared our souls
with their anguish, and with their hope and love. Dr. King
articulated the deeper yearnings of his countrymen better than
any American since Lincoln.
Even so, it is hard for us, almost a quarter of a century
after his death, to comprehend fully the hostility that
confronted Martin Luther King during his life, or the courage
with which he surmounted hatred and mistrust. We might forget,
too, the loneliness of his struggle. Think of the early days of
the civil rights movement, when organizers of the Montgomery bus
boycott called him as their leader. In his book "Stride Toward
Freedom" he wrote of sitting alone at the kitchen table late one
night during that lonely time, and saying aloud: "I've come to
the point where I can't face it alone." But almost at once his
fear and uncertainty began to melt away; an "inner voice," as he
called it, spoke to him. It told him to continue to do what he
knew to be right.
2
And so he did. America is a different country today -- a
better country, because of the faith Martin Luther King had in
the American people. Dr. King faced a nation disfigured by a
kind of homegrown apartheid that twisted the force of law to
segregate some Americans from others, depriving them of even the
rudiments of common citizenship. Jim Crow was quite simply un-
American, an insult to the American creed, and Dr. King knew it.
But he also knew that if he expressed this truth forcefully,
in the passionate language of the Bible and the Declaration of
Independence, the American people would come around. And sure
enough, in time most of those legal barriers he had labored
against came tumbling down. Martin Luther King's era was a
tumultuous period for his country. To a large extent he was the
architect of the best of what was left when the tumult was
through. Today we have a battery of laws dedicated to a
colorblind America; we have a renewed commitment from government
to enforce the basic rights of its citizens. Perhaps most
remarkably of all, we've seen a change in the hearts of many
Americans, who set aside old prejudices and stereotypes to
embrace the values Dr. King beseeched us to embrace, the values
of tolerance and decency and mutual respect.
Unfortunately, we can overstate this spiritual change in our
national life, as some are prone to do. Racism and bigotry,
blind hatred and intolerance still exist in our land. Even
Martin Luther King's memory has been perverted in their service.
A recent popular music video intersperses footage of Dr. King's
3
nonviolent struggle for equal rights with scenes of paramilitary
assaults and the assassination of public officials.
There is no place in America for this kind of vulgar and
outrageous exploitation. I salute the work of you, Mrs. King,
and of all your colleagues at the King Center in training young
people in Dr. King's principles of nonviolence and peaceful
change. As president I have dedicated myself and my
administration to rooting out discrimination wherever it exists.
We will continue to do so. But the struggle for civil rights
cannot stop there. Yes, most of the legal barriers that blocked
Dr. King and other black Americans for hundreds of years have
been swept away. But other intractable barriers remain. Even
now, many Americans aren't given a fair chance to make good on
their dreams.
In his landmark desegregation decision, Brown versus Board
of Education, Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote: "The road to
progress for the victims of past discrimination is equal and
excellent education." Can any of us -- within government or
without -- say that we have truly cleared this road to progress?
Education forms character, disciplines the mind, and bestows the
virtues of citizenship. It provides the child with the skills
necessary to gain access to the ladder of economic advancement.
Yet this kind of "equal and excellent" education is today beyond
the reach of most of our children.
That is why I have made the top-to-bottom transformation of
American education the priority of this administration. Yes, it's
4
a question of economic competitiveness in the global economy, as
others have said. But it's something more, too. Martin Luther
King believed that civil rights is at bottom about equal
opportunity in this, the land of opportunity. That means
educational excellence must be an essential goal of all who care
about civil rights. As Dr. King himself wrote: " education is
more than ever the passport to decent economic positions."
How do we get there? Here's one way. Last spring, we
launched our comprehensive America 2000 strategy for changing
America's schools. This was our first goal: By the year 2000,
every American child must start school ready to learn.
Note:
Accordingly, in the budget I will submit later this month, I will
all
alste:
ask to fully fund Head Start at for alevel the first to support time in full the participation
inoneyear Congress of Head Start for eligible childrenwanting to
program participate inthe program. fore anteringscheoly
history Fully funded Head Start wirl getsat
sentences
disadvantaged children early and bringSthem up to the educational
starting line, right along with advantaged kids who haven't faced
some of the same difficulties. By preparing them for the often
traumatic transition to elementary school, it will providesthem
with an equal shot at receiving an excellent education.
Scully
There are other ways. We must establish and maintain the
45178
highest educational standards. Let our kids know what we expect
from them, and you can be sure they won't let us down. This is a
task not only for schools but for parents, too. Dr. King spoke
often of the need to set high standards and stick to them. "We
must constantly stimulate our youth to rise above the stagnant
level of mediocrity," he wrote, "and seek to achieve excellence
5
in their various fields of endeavor." Just as important, we must
ensure that our schools are places where educational excellence
can be achieved. We must liberate every last one of them from
the scourge of violence and drugs.
But educational excellence, by itself, isn't enough. Our
children must emerge from school into a vibrant and growing
economy. Economic growth, the steady expansion of economic
opportunity for all our citizens, is no less a civil rights issue
than education. It "makes real the promises of democracy." A
truly free marketplace -- free of needless government mandates
and high taxes, free of bureaucrats vainly trying to pick winners
and losers -- doesn't recognize skin color or gender or ethnic
origin. It rewards diligence, initiative, perseverance, good
will. And as Dr. King knew, these are qualities not restricted to
a few but liberally granted by God to all his children.
There is an unfortunate irony here. The civil rights
movement began with the basics -- quality education and economic
opportunity. These are the two essential keys to the American
dream of strong families and wholesome communities. Yet for all
our success in conquering the legal barriers to equal rights --
though more work is needed here as well -- these basic hopes
remain unfulfilled. Our schools fail our children. Our economy
doesn't provide sufficient opportunity for all our citizens.
This is the unfinished business of civil rights. Our
country is not yet the "welcome table" Dr. King dreamed it could
be, where all Americans can eat and never be hungry, drink and
6
never be thirsty. But with your continuing commitment and help,
we will meet these great challenges and make real the dream of
Martin Luther King.
Thank you all, and now I will sign the Martin Luther King
Holiday proclamation.
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 16, 1992
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
THROUGH:
DAVID DEMAREST
TONY SNOW TS
FROM:
ANDY FERGUSON
SUBJECT:
MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY
I.
SUMMARY
On Friday, January 17, at 10:00 a.m., you will speak
prior to signing the King Holiday Proclamation at the Martin
Luther King Center in Atlanta, Georgia. There will be about
260 people chosen by Mrs. King in the auditorium.
II. DISCUSSION
The remarks (10 minutes, on cards) pay tribute to
King's values, and the role of the family in solving social
ills.
This draft incorporates the comments we received in the
second staffing of the speech. We deleted that draft's
mention of Magic Johnson. The consensus was that the
passage might be construed as stereotyping black Americans,
and that it might detract from the tone and the message of
the speech. This version also deletes other words and
phrases that might be misinterpreted.
The television video described on pages three and four
depicts the assassination of two Arizona politicians (a
senator and a governor) in retaliation for the state's not
having declared a holiday in honor of Dr. King. The song is
not obscure: The album on which it appears has been
nominated for a Grammy as Album of the Year.
The reference to the "welcome table" on page 4 is from
an old spiritual that the audience should know.
We will send two sets of cards on the trip -- one, the
version you approved last night (with mention of Magic
Johnson), and the second staffed version, without mention
of Magic Johnson.
(Ferguson/Simon)
January 16, 1992
Draft 6
KING
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: M.L. KING BIRTHDAY
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1992
10:00 A.M.
Thank you, Jesse [Hill]. It's a pleasure to be here with
Mrs. King, Bernice King, and members of the King family. I
brought Louis Sullivan with me, and I can tell you I count on his
advice and counsel every day in Washington. I want to thank Gov.
Miller and Mayor Jackson for their words; also, Rev. Roberts and
the marvelous Morehouse Glee Club. III
It is an honor to stand at this glorious "living memorial"
in Martin Luther King's hometown, just steps from his birthplace
and from his pulpit, to talk about the promise of his life. We
all know of his eloquence; his "Letter from Birmingham Jail" and
his "I Have a Dream" speech moved us with their hope and love,
their energetic passion, their fervent faith in the decency of
the American people -- all the American people.
Mrs. King, you have shaped a "living memorial" that honors
the courage with which your husband battled the silent enemies of
racism and mistrust. It is too easy for us to forget the
loneliness of his struggle. In the era of posses and fire hoses,
attack dogs and imprisonment, brave men and women ignored their
own safety and stood up for what is decent and right.
Think of the early days of the civil rights movement, when
organizers of the Montgomery bus boycott called him to be their
leader. In his book "Stride Toward Freedom" he wrote of sitting
2
alone at the kitchen table late one night, exhausted and saying
aloud: "I've come to the point where I can't face it alone." But
almost at once his fear and uncertainty began to melt away; an
"inner voice," as he called it, spoke to him. It told him to
continue to do what he knew to be right.
And because he could express what he knew with such
eloquence and passion, the American people awakened to the
promise of civil rights for all. Today, thanks in large part to
Martin Luther King's work, we have a battery of laws dedicated to
a colorblind America; we have a renewed commitment from
government to enforce the basic rights of its citizens. Perhaps
most marvelous of all, we've seen a change in the hearts of many
Americans, who set aside old prejudices and stereotypes to
embrace the values Dr. King beseeched us to embrace, the values
of tolerance and decency and mutual respect. That spirit brings
us here today.
Unfortunately, racism and blind hatred still exist in our
land, and we see incidents -- isolated, I hope -- of intolerance
and hatred: racially motivated assaults on school children;
wanton violence directed against people merely because of their
race; demagogues, white and black, trying to divide this nation
of ideals.
Even Martin Luther King's memory has been tarnished.
Lately, nationwide television stations have shown a popular music
video that glorifies racial violence, paramilitary assaults and
the assassination of public officials. Outrageously, the video
3
intersperses these ugly scenes with film footage of Dr. King's
nonviolent struggle for civil rights. Mrs. King, I know you have
condemned this perversion of your husband's work. We all should
stand up to those who resort to bigotry and intolerance, who
appeal to the basest parts of human nature, rather than to the
noblest stirrings of our souls.
America has no place for this kind of cynical exploitation.
I salute your work, Mrs. King, and that of your colleagues here
at the King Center. You train young Americans in the principles
of nonviolence and peaceful change. Here they can learn the
values that shaped the life and works of Martin Luther King.
The true source of those values, of our virtues as
individuals and as a nation, is the family. I am struck, Mrs.
King, by how often in our conversations together you have
stressed the importance of family life. Barbara and I certainly
feel it in our own lives. The problems that afflict so many
American communities today -- homelessness, crime, drugs -- often
symbolize the decline of family. Far too many of our children
pass through life without goals larger than themselves, without a
sense of their own worth or the worth of others, without the
values that the love of a parent or a grandparent instill.
This terrible weakening of the family is not just somebody
else's problem; it arouses our concern and demands our
commitment.
Martin Luther King taught us that all are called to serve,
no matter their personal circumstances. And each of us can
4
serve. On the last night of his life, Dr. King talked of
visiting the Holy Land when he was a young man -- with you, Mrs.
King. He traveled the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, the same
road where the Good Samaritan stopped, as the Bible teaches, to
help a stranger. The road was rocky and full of blind curves,
and Dr. King soon realized that people failed to stop the
stranger because they were afraid. Others had asked themselves,
"If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But the
Good Samaritan asked himself, "If I don't stop to help this man,
what will happen to him?"
The question, "What will happen to others?" should shape our
efforts to build a land of brotherhood and prosperity. Mere
rhetoric cannot offer hope. Empty promises cannot deliver
salvation. Dr. King lives in the hearts and minds of Americans
because his deeds matched his soaring words. We, too, must seek
not just the right goals, but real solutions.
We should begin with the goal that gave birth to the civil
rights movement -- quality education for all. This dream remains
an unfulfilled promise for too many of our children.
Again, each of us can help. If I can brag for a moment here,
Barbara over the last several years has made a point of
impressing upon people the importance of reading to kids, to
broaden their horizons and expand their young minds. Educational
excellence must be a goal of all who care about civil rights.
The movement also sought to offer equal economic opportunity
for all. A growing, vibrant economy builds bridges of interest
5
and brotherhood, and we should join together to ensure that this
nation produces more opportunities, more hope, and more real
progress for everyone.
Finally, let us remember our shared determination to build a
nation united -- by ideals, by hope, by fellowship. Rather than
trying to find what separates us, let us appeal to broader and
more profound virtues that bind us together.
When intolerance flares anew, let us extinguish its fires.
When a child yearns for love, let us reach out. I think of
Barbara cradling a crack baby in her arms, and I know that real
brotherhood, real progress, real hope arises not out of a law or
regulation, but out of a loving heart.
Let's join hands for positive aims: whole families, safe
neighborhoods, good schools, and an economy large and strong
enough to accommodate all our dreams.
Dr. King showed that one man can move mountains in a country
dedicated to brotherhood. But our struggle need not be so
lonely. Together, we can build the "welcome table" the spiritual
speaks of, where all Americans can eat and never be hungry, drink
and never be thirsty. We can make Martin Luther King's dream
real.
Thank you all, and now I am pleased to sign the Martin
Luther King Holiday Proclamation.
#
#
#
O/3
M.L. KING BIRTHDAY \ ATLANTA, GEORGIA
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1992 \ 10:00 A.M.
THANK YOU, JESSE [HILL]. IT's A PLEASURE TO BE
HERE WITH MRS. KING, BERNICE KING, AND MEMBERS OF THE
KING FAMILY. I BROUGHT LOUIS SULLIVAN WITH ME, AND I
CAN TELL YOU I COUNT ON HIS ADVICE AND COUNSEL EVERY
DAY IN WASHINGTON. I WANT TO THANK Gov. MILLER AND
MAYOR JACKSON FOR THEIR WORDS; ALSO, REV. ROBERTS AND
THE MARVELOUS MOREHOUSE GLEE CLUB. III
- 3 -
MRS. KING, YOU HAVE SHAPED A "LIVING MEMORIAL" THAT
HONORS THE COURAGE WITH WHICH YOUR HUSBAND BATTLED THE
SILENT ENEMIES OF RACISM AND MISTRUST. IT IS TOO EASY
FOR US TO FORGET THE LONELINESS OF HIS STRUGGLE. IN
THE ERA OF POSSES AND FIRE HOSES, ATTACK DOGS AND
IMPRISONMENT, BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN IGNORED THEIR OWN
SAFETY AND STOOD UP FOR WHAT IS DECENT AND RIGHT.
- 2 -
IT IS AN HONOR TO STAND AT THIS GLORIOUS "LIVING
MEMORIAL" IN MARTIN LUTHER KING'S HOMETOWN, JUST STEPS
FROM HIS BIRTHPLACE AND FROM HIS PULPIT, TO TALK ABOUT
THE PROMISE OF HIS LIFE. WE ALL KNOW OF HIS ELOQUENCE;
HIS "LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL" AND HIS "I HAVE A
DREAM" SPEECH MOVED US WITH THEIR HOPE AND LOVE, THEIR
ENERGETIC PASSION, THEIR FERVENT FAITH IN THE DECENCY
OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE -- ALL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
- 4 -
THINK OF THE EARLY DAYS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS
MOVEMENT, WHEN ORGANIZERS OF THE MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOTT
CALLED HIM TO BE THEIR LEADER. IN HIS BOOK "STRIDE
TOWARD FREEDOM" HE WROTE OF SITTING ALONE AT THE
KITCHEN TABLE LATE ONE NIGHT, EXHAUSTED AND SAYING
ALOUD: "I'VE COME TO THE POINT WHERE I CAN'T FACE IT
ALONE." BUT ALMOST AT ONCE HIS FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY
BEGAN TO MELT AWAY; AN "INNER VOICE," AS HE CALLED IT,
SPOKE TO HIM. IT TOLD HIM TO CONTINUE TO DO WHAT HE
KNEW TO BE RIGHT.
- 5 -
AND BECAUSE HE COULD EXPRESS WHAT HE KNEW WITH SUCH
ELOQUENCE AND PASSION, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AWAKENED TO
THE PROMISE OF CIVIL RIGHTS FOR ALL. TODAY, THANKS IN
LARGE PART TO MARTIN LUTHER KING'S WORK, WE HAVE A
BATTERY OF LAWS DEDICATED TO A COLORBLIND AMERICA; WE
HAVE A RENEWED COMMITMENT FROM GOVERNMENT TO ENFORCE
THE BASIC RIGHTS OF ITS CITIZENS.
- 6 -
PERHAPS MOST MARVELOUS OF ALL, WE'VE SEEN A CHANGE IN
THE HEARTS OF MANY AMERICANS, WHO SET ASIDE OLD
PREJUDICES AND STEREOTYPES TO EMBRACE THE VALUES DR.
KING BESEECHED US TO EMBRACE, THE VALUES OF TOLERANCE
AND DECENCY AND MUTUAL RESPECT. THAT SPIRIT BRINGS US
HERE TODAY.
- 7 -
UNFORTUNATELY, RACISM AND BLIND HATRED STILL EXIST
IN OUR LAND, AND WE SEE INCIDENTS -- ISOLATED, I HOPE
-- OF INTOLERANCE AND HATRED: RACIALLY MOTIVATED
ASSAULTS ON SCHOOL CHILDREN; WANTON VIOLENCE DIRECTED
AGAINST PEOPLE MERELY BECAUSE OF THEIR RACE;
DEMAGOGUES, WHITE AND BLACK, TRYING TO DIVIDE THIS
NATION OF IDEALS.
EVEN MARTIN LUTHER KING'S MEMORY HAS BEEN
TARNISHED.
- 8 -
LATELY, NATIONWIDE TELEVISION STATIONS HAVE SHOWN A
POPULAR MUSIC VIDEO THAT GLORIFIES RACIAL VIOLENCE,
PARAMILITARY ASSAULTS AND THE ASSASSINATION OF PUBLIC
OFFICIALS. OUTRAGEOUSLY, THE VIDEO INTERSPERSES THESE
UGLY SCENES WITH FILM FOOTAGE OF DR. KING'S NONVIOLENT
STRUGGLE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS. MRS. KING, I KNOW YOU HAVE
CONDEMNED THIS PERVERSION OF YOUR HUSBAND'S WORK.
- 9 -
WE ALL SHOULD STAND UP TO THOSE WHO RESORT TO BIGOTRY
AND INTOLERANCE, WHO APPEAL TO THE BASEST PARTS OF
HUMAN NATURE, RATHER THAN TO THE NOBLEST STIRRINGS OF
OUR SOULS.
AMERICA HAS NO PLACE FOR THIS KIND OF CYNICAL
EXPLOITATION. I SALUTE YOUR WORK, MRS. KING, AND THAT
OF YOUR COLLEAGUES HERE AT THE KING CENTER.
- 10 -
You TRAIN YOUNG AMERICANS IN THE PRINCIPLES OF
NONVIOLENCE AND PEACEFUL CHANGE. HERE THEY CAN LEARN
THE VALUES THAT SHAPED THE LIFE AND WORKS OF MARTIN
LUTHER KING.
THE TRUE SOURCE OF THOSE VALUES, OF OUR VIRTUES AS
INDIVIDUALS AND AS A NATION, IS THE FAMILY. I AM
STRUCK, MRS. KING, BY HOW OFTEN IN OUR CONVERSATIONS
TOGETHER YOU HAVE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY
LIFE. BARBARA AND I CERTAINLY FEEL IT IN OUR OWN
LIVES.
- 11 -
THE PROBLEMS THAT AFFLICT so MANY AMERICAN COMMUNITIES
TODAY -- HOMELESSNESS, CRIME, DRUGS -- OFTEN SYMBOLIZE
THE DECLINE OF FAMILY. FAR TOO MANY OF OUR CHILDREN
PASS THROUGH LIFE WITHOUT GOALS LARGER THAN THEMSELVES,
WITHOUT A SENSE OF THEIR OWN WORTH OR THE WORTH OF
OTHERS, WITHOUT THE VALUES THAT THE LOVE OF A PARENT OR
A GRANDPARENT INSTILL.
- 12 -
THIS TERRIBLE WEAKENING OF THE FAMILY IS NOT JUST
SOMEBODY ELSE'S PROBLEM; IT AROUSES OUR CONCERN AND
DEMANDS OUR COMMITMENT.
MARTIN LUTHER KING TAUGHT US THAT ALL ARE CALLED TO
SERVE, NO MATTER THEIR PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. AND
EACH OF US CAN SERVE. ON THE LAST NIGHT OF HIS LIFE,
DR. KING TALKED OF VISITING THE HOLY LAND WHEN HE WAS A
YOUNG MAN -- WITH YOU, MRS. KING.
- 13 -
HE TRAVELED THE ROAD FROM JERUSALEM TO JERICHO, THE
SAME ROAD WHERE THE GOOD SAMARITAN STOPPED, AS THE
BIBLE TEACHES, TO HELP A STRANGER. THE ROAD WAS ROCKY
AND FULL OF BLIND CURVES, AND DR. KING SOON REALIZED
THAT PEOPLE FAILED TO STOP THE STRANGER BECAUSE THEY
WERE AFRAID. OTHERS HAD ASKED THEMSELVES, "IF I STOP
TO HELP THIS MAN, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME?" BUT THE
GOOD SAMARITAN ASKED HIMSELF, "IF I DON'T STOP TO HELP
THIS MAN, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO HIM?"
- 14 -
THE QUESTION, "WHAT WILL HAPPEN To OTHERS?" SHOULD
SHAPE OUR EFFORTS TO BUILD A LAND OF BROTHERHOOD AND
PROSPERITY. MERE RHETORIC CANNOT OFFER HOPE. EMPTY
PROMISES CANNOT DELIVER SALVATION. DR. KING LIVES IN
THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF AMERICANS BECAUSE HIS DEEDS
MATCHED HIS SOARING WORDS. WE, Too, MUST SEEK NOT JUST
THE RIGHT GOALS, BUT REAL SOLUTIONS.
WE SHOULD BEGIN WITH THE GOAL THAT GAVE BIRTH TO
THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT -- QUALITY EDUCATION FOR ALL.
- 15 -
THIS DREAM REMAINS AN UNFULFILLED PROMISE FOR TOO MANY
OF OUR CHILDREN.
AGAIN, EACH OF US CAN HELP. IF I CAN BRAG FOR A
MOMENT HERE, BARBARA OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS HAS
MADE A POINT OF IMPRESSING UPON PEOPLE THE IMPORTANCE
OF READING TO KIDS, TO BROADEN THEIR HORIZONS AND
EXPAND THEIR YOUNG MINDS. EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE MUST
BE A GOAL OF ALL WHO CARE ABOUT CIVIL RIGHTS.
- 16 -
THE MOVEMENT ALSO SOUGHT TO OFFER EQUAL ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL. A GROWING, VIBRANT ECONOMY BUILDS
BRIDGES OF INTEREST AND BROTHERHOOD, AND WE SHOULD JOIN
TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT THIS NATION PRODUCES MORE
OPPORTUNITIES, MORE HOPE, AND MORE REAL PROGRESS FOR
EVERYONE.
FINALLY, LET US REMEMBER OUR SHARED DETERMINATION
TO BUILD A NATION UNITED -- BY IDEALS, BY HOPE, BY
FELLOWSHIP.
- 17 -
RATHER THAN TRYING TO FIND WHAT SEPARATES US, LET US
APPEAL TO BROADER AND MORE PROFOUND VIRTUES THAT BIND
US TOGETHER.
WHEN INTOLERANCE FLARES ANEW, LET US EXTINGUISH ITS
FIRES. WHEN A CHILD YEARNS FOR LOVE, LET US REACH
OUT. I THINK OF BARBARA CRADLING A CRACK BABY IN HER
ARMS, AND I KNOW THAT REAL BROTHERHOOD, REAL PROGRESS,
REAL HOPE ARISES NOT OUT OF A LAW OR REGULATION, BUT
OUT OF A LOVING HEART.
- 18 -
LET'S JOIN HANDS FOR POSITIVE AIMS: WHOLE FAMILIES,
SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS, GOOD SCHOOLS, AND AN ECONOMY LARGE
AND STRONG ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE ALL OUR DREAMS.
DR. KING SHOWED THAT ONE MAN CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS IN
A COUNTRY DEDICATED TO BROTHERHOOD. BUT OUR STRUGGLE
NEED NOT BE so LONELY. TOGETHER, WE CAN BUILD THE
"WELCOME TABLE" THE SPIRITUAL SPEAKS OF, WHERE ALL
AMERICANS CAN EAT AND NEVER BE HUNGRY, DRINK AND NEVER
BE THIRSTY. WE CAN MAKE MARTIN LUTHER KING'S DREAM
REAL.
- 19 -
THANK YOU ALL, AND NOW I WILL SIGN THE MARTIN
LUTHER KING HOLIDAY PROCLAMATION.
# # #
п.ь. nine account
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1992 \ 10:00 A.M.
THANK YOU, JESSE [HILL]. IT's A PLEASURE TO BE
HERE WITH MRS. KING, BERNICE KING, AND MEMBERS OF THE
KING FAMILY. I BROUGHT LOUIS SULLIVAN WITH ME, AND I
CAN TELL YOU I COUNT ON HIS ADVICE AND COUNSEL EVERY
DAY IN WASHINGTON. I WANT TO THANK Gov. MILLER AND
MAYOR JACKSON FOR THEIR WORDS. THANKS ALSO TO REV.
ROBERTS AND THE MARVELOUS MOREHOUSE GLEE CLUB.
- 2 -
IT IS AN HONOR TO STAND AT THIS GLORIOUS "LIVING
MEMORIAL," HERE IN MARTIN LUTHER KING'S HOMETOWN, JUST
STEPS FROM HIS BIRTHPLACE AND FROM HIS PULPIT, TO TALK
ABOUT THE PROMISE OF HIS LIFE. WE ALL KNOW OF HIS
ELOQUENCE; HIS "LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL" AND HIS "I
HAVE A DREAM" SPEECH MOVED US WITH THEIR HOPE AND LOVE,
AND WITH THE ABIDING FAITH DR. KING HAD IN THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE.
- 3 -
WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, MRS. KING, WITH THIS GLORIOUS
"LIVING MEMORIAL," SERVES TO REMIND US OF THE COURAGE
WITH WHICH MARTIN LUTHER KING OVERCAME HATRED AND
MISTRUST. IT IS TOO EASY FOR US, ALMOST A QUARTER OF A
CENTURY AFTER HIS DEATH, TO FORGET THE LONELINESS OF
HIS STRUGGLE. THINK OF THE EARLY DAYS OF THE CIVIL
RIGHTS MOVEMENT, WHEN ORGANIZERS OF THE MONTGOMERY BUS
BOYCOTT CALLED HIM TO BE THEIR LEADER.
- 4 -
IN HIS BOOK "STRIDE TOWARD FREEDOM" HE WROTE OF SITTING
ALONE AT THE KITCHEN TABLE LATE ONE NIGHT DURING THAT
LONELY TIME, AND SAYING ALOUD: "I'VE COME TO THE POINT
WHERE I CAN'T FACE IT ALONE." BUT ALMOST AT ONCE HIS
FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY BEGAN TO MELT AWAY; AN "INNER
VOICE," AS HE CALLED IT, SPOKE TO HIM. IT TOLD HIM TO
CONTINUE TO DO WHAT HE KNEW TO BE RIGHT.
AND BECAUSE HE COULD EXPRESS WHAT HE KNEW WITH SUCH
ELOQUENCE AND PASSION, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AWAKENED TO
THE PROMISE OF CIVIL RIGHTS FOR ALL.
- 5 -
TODAY, THANKS IN LARGE PART TO MARTIN LUTHER KING'S
WORK, WE HAVE A BATTERY OF LAWS DEDICATED TO A
COLORBLIND AMERICA; WE HAVE A RENEWED COMMITMENT FROM
GOVERNMENT TO ENFORCE THE BASIC RIGHTS OF ITS CITIZENS.
PERHAPS MOST MARVELOUS OF ALL, WE'VE SEEN A CHANGE IN
THE HEARTS OF MANY AMERICANS, WHO SET ASIDE OLD
PREJUDICES AND STEREOTYPES TO EMBRACE THE VALUES
DR. KING BESEECHED US TO EMBRACE, THE VALUES OF
TOLERANCE AND DECENCY AND MUTUAL RESPECT.
- 6 -
AT THE HEART OF THESE VALUES, AS DR. KING KNEW, IS
THE FAMILY. I AM STRUCK, MRS. KING, BY HOW OFTEN IN
OUR CONVERSATIONS TOGETHER YOU HAVE STRESSED THE
IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY LIFE. BARBARA AND I CERTAINLY
FEEL IT IN OUR OWN LIVES. THINK OF THE PROBLEMS THAT
AFFLICT so MANY AMERICAN COMMUNITIES TODAY --
HOMELESSNESS, CRIME, DRUGS. YET THESE ARE NOT so MUCH
ISOLATED PROBLEMS AS SYMPTOMS OF ONE GREAT PROBLEM, THE
DECLINE OF FAMILY.
- 7 -
FAR TOO MANY OF OUR CHILDREN PASS THROUGH LIFE WITHOUT
GOALS LARGER THAN THEMSELVES, WITHOUT A SENSE OF THEIR
OWN WORTH OR THE WORTH OF OTHERS, WITHOUT THE VALUES
THAT ONLY THE LOVE OF A PARENT OR A GRANDPARENT CAN
INSTILL.
THIS PROBLEM, THIS TERRIBLE WEAKENING OF THE
FAMILY, IS NOT JUST SOMEBODY ELSE'S PROBLEM. IT
DEMANDS SOMETHING FROM EACH OF US. MARTIN LUTHER KING
TAUGHT US THAT EACH OF US IS CALLED TO SERVE,
REGARDLESS OF PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
- 8 -
AND EACH OF US CAN SERVE. ON THE LAST NIGHT OF HIS
LIFE, BEFORE THAT TERRIBLE DAY IN MEMPHIS, DR. KING
TOLD A STORY THAT I THINK OF OFTEN. HE TOLD OF
VISITING THE HOLY LAND WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG MAN, WITH
YOU, MRS. KING. HE HAPPENED TO TRAVEL THE ROAD FROM
JERUSALEM TO JERICHO, THE SAME ROAD WHERE THE GOOD
SAMARITAN STOPPED, AS THE BIBLE TEACHES, TO HELP A
STRANGER.
- 9 -
THE ROAD WAS ROCKY AND FULL OF BLIND CURVES, AND AS HE
TRAVELED DR. KING REALIZED THAT THE REASON OTHERS
FAILED TO STOP TO HELP THE STRANGER WAS THAT THEY WERE
AFRAID. OTHERS HAD ASKED THEMSELVES, "IF I STOP TO
HELP THIS MAN, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME?" BUT THE GOOD
SAMARITAN ASKED HIMSELF, "IF I DON'T STOP TO HELP THIS
MAN, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO HIM?"
THE JOY OF PERSONAL SERVICE IS THAT IT IS OPEN TO
ALL.
- 10 -
THE OTHER DAY I MET WITH MAGIC JOHNSON IN THE OVAL
OFFICE, AND I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE WAY THIS MAN HAS
DEDICATED HIMSELF TO OTHERS -- NOT ONLY THOSE WITH HIV
BUT IN EDUCATING THOSE WHO ARE AT RISK. HE'S BEEN VERY
HONEST AND FORTHRIGHT ABOUT THE ISSUE. HE'S OUT THERE
RIGHT NOW TEACHING KIDS THAT LIFESTYLE'S IMPORTANT.
HE'S ADMITTED HE MADE SOME TERRIBLE MISTAKES. BUT NOW
HE WANTS TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT. I WANT TO USE THIS
BULLY PULPIT OF THE WHITE HOUSE FOR THE SAME PURPOSE.
- 11 -
ANYONE WHO VISITS AIDS CLINICS, AS BARBARA AND I HAVE,
CAN'T HELP BUT BE STRUCK BY THE DEDICATION OF THE
COUNTLESS DOCTORS, NURSES, RESEARCHERS AND VOLUNTEERS
WHO UNDERSTAND THE HUMAN FACE OF AIDS. WHEN BARBARA
HOLDS AN AIDS BABY IN HER ARMS, SHE'S TRYING TO EXPRESS
THAT SAME MESSAGE -- THE MESSAGE OF COMPASSION AND
SERVICE.
- 12 -
THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO SERVE. WITH HER LITERACY
PROGRAM BARBARA HAS TRIED To IMPRESS UPON PEOPLE THE
IMPORTANCE OF READING TO KIDS, BROADENING THEIR
HORIZONS AND EXPANDING THEIR YOUNG MINDS. IT's
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT ONE OF THE FIRST GOALS OF
THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT WAS AS BASIC AS CAN BE --
QUALITY EDUCATION FOR ALL. WE HAVE MADE ENORMOUS
PROGRESS, THANKS IN LARGE PART TO MARTIN LUTHER KING,
IN REMOVING THE LEGAL BARRIERS THAT BLOCKED PROGRESS
FOR MINORITY AMERICANS.
- 15 -
BUT OTHER KINDS OF BARRIERS REMAIN. FOR INSTANCE, THE
DREAM OF QUALITY EDUCATION REMAINS AN UNFULFILLED
PROMISE FOR TOO MANY OF OUR CHILDREN.
YES, RACISM AND ANTI-SEMITISM AND BLIND HATRED
STILL EXIST IN OUR LAND. As PRESIDENT, I HAVE MADE A
PLEDGE TO ROOT OUT BIGOTRY WHEREVER WE FIND IT. EVERY
DAY, MRS. KING, YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES HERE AT THE
KING CENTER TRAIN YOUNG PEOPLE THAT THE WAY TO COUNTER
HATRED AND IGNORANCE IS PEACEFULLY, WITH NON-VIOLENCE,
COMPASSION, LOVE AND SERVICE TO OTHERS.
- 14 -
IT IS THE CONTINUATION OF YOUR HUSBAND'S WORK. HE
TAUGHT US THE DIFFERENCE ONE MAN CAN MAKE IN A COUNTRY
DEDICATED TO THE IDEALS OF BROTHERHOOD. HE SAW AN
AMERICA THAT WAS LIKE THE "WELCOME TABLE" THE SPIRITUAL
SPEAKS OF, WHERE ALL AMERICANS CAN EAT AND NEVER BE
HUNGRY, DRINK AND NEVER BE THIRSTY. WITH YOUR
CONTINUING COMMITMENT AND HELP, WE WILL MEET THESE
GREAT CHALLENGES AND MAKE REAL THE DREAM OF MARTIN
LUTHER KING.
- 15 -
THANK YOU ALL, AND NOW I AM PLEASED TO SIGN THE
MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY PROCLAMATION.
# # #
M.L. DARA
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1992 \ 10:00 A.M.
BF
THANK YOU, JESSE [HILL]. IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE
HERE WITH MRS. KING, BERNICE KING, AND MEMBERS OF THE
KING FAMILY. I BROUGHT LOUIS SULLIVAN WITH ME, AND I
CAN TELL YOU I COUNT ON HIS ADVICE AND COUNSEL EVERY
DAY IN WASHINGTON. I WANT TO THANK Gov. MILLER AND
MAYOR JACKSON FOR THEIR WORDS. THANKS ALSO TO REV.
ROBERTS AND THE MARVELOUS MOREHOUSE GLEE CLUB.
- 2 -
IT IS AN HONOR TO STAND AT THIS GLORIOUS "LIVING
MEMORIAL," HERE IN MARTIN LUTHER KING'S HOMETOWN, JUST
STEPS FROM HIS BIRTHPLACE AND FROM HIS PULPIT, TO TALK
ABOUT THE PROMISE OF HIS LIFE. WE ALL KNOW OF HIS
ELOQUENCE; HIS "LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL" AND HIS "I
HAVE A DREAM" SPEECH MOVED US WITH THEIR HOPE AND LOVE,
AND WITH THE ABIDING FAITH DR. KING HAD IN THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE.
22 JAN 16 P9: 03
- 3 -
WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, MRS. KING, WITH THIS GLORIOUS
"LIVING MEMORIAL," SERVES TO REMIND US OF THE COURAGE
WITH WHICH MARTIN LUTHER KING OVERCAME HATRED AND
MISTRUST. IT IS TOO EASY FOR US, ALMOST A QUARTER OF A
CENTURY AFTER HIS DEATH, TO FORGET THE LONELINESS OF
HIS STRUGGLE. THINK OF THE EARLY DAYS OF THE CIVIL
RIGHTS MOVEMENT, WHEN ORGANIZERS OF THE MONTGOMERY BUS
BOYCOTT CALLED HIM TO BE THEIR LEADER.
- 4 -
IN HIS BOOK "STRIDE TOWARD FREEDOM" HE WROTE OF SITTING
ALONE AT THE KITCHEN TABLE LATE ONE NIGHT DURING THAT
LONELY TIME, AND SAYING ALOUD: "I'VE COME TO THE POINT
WHERE I CAN'T FACE IT ALONE." BUT ALMOST AT ONCE HIS
FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY BEGAN TO MELT AWAY; AN "INNER
VOICE," AS HE CALLED IT, SPOKE TO HIM. IT TOLD HIM TO
CONTINUE TO DO WHAT HE KNEW TO BE RIGHT.
AND BECAUSE HE COULD EXPRESS WHAT HE KNEW WITH SUCH
ELOQUENCE AND PASSION, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AWAKENED TO
THE PROMISE OF CIVIL RIGHTS FOR ALL.
- 5 -
TODAY, THANKS IN LARGE PART TO MARTIN LUTHER KING'S
WORK, WE HAVE A BATTERY OF LAWS DEDICATED TO A
COLORBLIND AMERICA; WE HAVE A RENEWED COMMITMENT FROM
GOVERNMENT TO ENFORCE THE BASIC RIGHTS OF ITS CITIZENS.
PERHAPS MOST MARVELOUS OF ALL, WE'VE SEEN A CHANGE IN
THE HEARTS OF MANY AMERICANS, WHO SET ASIDE OLD
PREJUDICES AND STEREOTYPES TO EMBRACE THE VALUES
DR. KING BESEECHED US TO EMBRACE, THE VALUES OF
TOLERANCE AND DECENCY AND MUTUAL RESPECT.
ADA Bill
I am proud that 2 signaturent
[ Cril because Rights Predent Bills have The ADA become Bill law or simer Civ.Riguto
- 6 -
'91
Boll '91
AT THE HEART OF THESE VALUES, AS DR. KING KNEW, IS
THE FAMILY. I AM STRUCK, MRS. KING, BY HOW OFTEN IN
OUR CONVERSATIONS TOGETHER YOU HAVE STRESSED THE
IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY LIFE. BARBARA AND I CERTAINLY
FEEL IT IN OUR OWN LIVES. THINK OF THE PROBLEMS THAT
AFFLICT so MANY AMERICAN COMMUNITIES TODAY --
HOMELESSNESS, CRIME, DRUGS. YET THESE ARE NOT so MUCH
ISOLATED PROBLEMS AS SYMPTOMS OF ONE GREAT PROBLEM, THE
DECLINE OF FAMILY.
- 7 -
FAR TOO MANY OF OUR CHILDREN PASS THROUGH LIFE WITHOUT
GOALS LARGER THAN THEMSELVES, WITHOUT A SENSE OF THEIR
OWN WORTH OR THE WORTH OF OTHERS, WITHOUT THE VALUES
THAT ONLY THE LOVE OF A PARENT OR A GRANDPARENT CAN
restenday I met with then Mayors who lead the Nat"
League INSTILL. of cities Some were from large cities -soue from small citus Some
THIS PROBLEM, THIS TERRIBLE WEAKENING OF THE mere Demon
san Republe
FAMILY, IS NOT JUST SOMEBODY ELSE'S PROBLEM. IT All agreed
DEMANDS SOMETHING FROM EACH OF us. MARTIN LUTHER KING that
TAUGHT US THAT EACH OF US IS CALLED TO SERVE,
the unbon
problems stem
REGARDLESS OF PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
wealing of family
largely from the
- 8 -
AND EACH OF US CAN SERVE. ON THE LAST NIGHT OF HIS
LIFE, BEFORE THAT TERRIBLE DAY IN MEMPHIS, DR. KING
TOLD A STORY THAT I THINK OF OFTEN. HE TOLD OF
VISITING THE HOLY LAND WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG MAN, WITH
YOU, MRS. KING. HE HAPPENED To TRAVEL THE ROAD FROM
JERUSALEM To JERICHO, THE SAME ROAD WHERE THE GOOD
SAMARITAN STOPPED, AS THE BIBLE TEACHES, To HELP A
STRANGER.
- 9 -
THE ROAD WAS ROCKY AND FULL OF BLIND CURVES, AND AS HE
TRAVELED DR. KING REALIZED THAT THE REASON OTHERS
FAILED TO STOP TO HELP THE STRANGER WAS THAT THEY WERE
AFRAID. OTHERS HAD ASKED THEMSELVES, "IF I STOP TO
HELP THIS MAN, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME?" BUT THE GOOD
SAMARITAN ASKED HIMSELF, "IF I DON'T STOP TO HELP THIS
MAN, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO HIM?"
THE JOY OF PERSONAL SERVICE IS THAT IT IS OPEN TO
ALL.
- 10 -
THE OTHER DAY I MET WITH MAGIC JOHNSON IN THE OVAL
OFFICE, AND I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE WAY THIS MAN HAS
DEDICATED HIMSELF TO OTHERS -- NOT ONLY THOSE WITH HIV
BUT IN EDUCATING THOSE WHO ARE AT RISK. HE'S been VERY
HONEST AND FORTHRIGHT ABOUT THE ISSUE. HE'S OUT THERE
RIGHT NOW TEACHING KIDS THAT LIFESTYLE'S IMPORTANT.
HE'S ADMITTED HE MADE SOME TERRIBLE MISTAKES. BUT NOW
will continue
HE WANTS TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT. I WANT TO USE THIS
BULLY PULPIT OF THE WHITE HOUSE FOR THE SAME PURPOSE.
n/o To speak out for strong research
n n n A education $ so as to help
people to A this discose
out for change of behaviour
u
n
- 11 -
ANYONE WHO VISITS AIDS CLINICS, AS BARBARA AND I HAVE,
CAN'T HELP BUT BE STRUCK BY THE DEDICATION OF THE
COUNTLESS DOCTORS, NURSES, RESEARCHERS AND VOLUNTEERS
WHO UNDERSTAND THE HUMAN FACE OF AIDS. WHEN BARBARA
HOLDS AN AIDS BABY IN HER ARMS, SHE'S TRYING TO EXPRESS
THAT SAME MESSAGE -- THE MESSAGE OF COMPASSION AND
SERVICE.
- 12 -
THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO SERVE. WITH HER LITERACY
PROGRAM BARBARA HAS TRIED TO IMPRESS UPON PEOPLE THE
IMPORTANCE OF READING TO KIDS, BROADENING THEIR
HORIZONS AND EXPANDING THEIR YOUNG MINDS. IT'S
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT ONE OF THE FIRST GOALS OF
THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT WAS AS BASIC AS CAN BE --
QUALITY EDUCATION FOR ALL. WE HAVE MADE ENORMOUS
PROGRESS, THANKS IN LARGE PART TO MARTIN LUTHER KING,
IN REMOVING THE LEGAL BARRIERS THAT BLOCKED PROGRESS
FOR MINORITY AMERICANS. Now Our Amrica 2000
Education program all help lift up those
An prest
bids who have been left behind.
put it on
met page
- 10 -
BUT OTHER KINDS OF BARRIERS REMAIN. FOR INSTANCE, THE
DREAM OF QUALITY EDUCATION REMAINS AN UNFULFILLED
PROMISE FOR TOO MANY OF OUR CHILDREN. "A"
YES, RACISM AND ANTI-SEMITISM AND BLIND HATRED
STILL EXIST IN OUR LAND. As PRESIDENT, I HAVE MADE A
PLEDGE TO ROOT OUT BIGOTRY WHEREVER WE FIND IT. EVERY
DAY, MRS. KING, YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES HERE AT THE
KING CENTER TRAIN YOUNG PEOPLE THAT THE WAY TO COUNTER
HATRED AND IGNORANCE IS PEACEFULLY, WITH NON-VIOLENCE,
COMPASSION, LOVE AND SERVICE TO OTHERS.
- 14 -
IT IS THE CONTINUATION OF YOUR HUSBAND'S WORK. HE
TAUGHT US THE DIFFERENCE ONE MAN CAN MAKE IN A COUNTRY
DEDICATED TO THE IDEALS OF BROTHERHOOD. HE SAW AN
AMERICA THAT WAS LIKE THE "WELCOME TABLE" THE SPIRITUAL
SPEAKS OF, WHERE ALL AMERICANS CAN EAT AND NEVER BE
HUNGRY, DRINK AND NEVER BE THIRSTY. WITH YOUR
CONTINUING COMMITMENT AND HELP, WE WILL MEET THESE
GREAT CHALLENGES AND MAKE REAL THE DREAM OF MARTIN
LUTHER KING.
- 15 -
THANK YOU ALL, AND NOW I AM PLEASED TO SIGN THE
MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY PROCLAMATION.
# # #
M.L. KING BIRTHDAY \ ATLANTA, GEORGIA
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1992 \ 10:00 A.M.
THANK YOU, JESSE [HILL]. IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE
HERE WITH MRS. KING, BERNICE KING, AND MEMBERS OF THE
KING FAMILY. I BROUGHT LOUIS SULLIVAN WITH ME, AND I
CAN TELL YOU I COUNT ON HIS ADVICE AND COUNSEL EVERY
DAY IN WASHINGTON. I WANT TO THANK Gov. MILLER AND
MAYOR JACKSON FOR THEIR WORDS; ALSO, REV. ROBERTS AND
THE MARVELOUS MOREHOUSE GLEE CLUB. 111
- 3 -
MRS. KING, YOU HAVE SHAPED A "LIVING MEMORIAL" THAT
HONORS THE COURAGE WITH WHICH YOUR HUSBAND BATTLED THE
SILENT ENEMIES OF RACISM AND MISTRUST. IT IS TOO EASY
FOR US TO FORGET THE LONELINESS OF HIS STRUGGLE. IN
THE ERA OF POSSES AND FIRE HOSES, ATTACK DOGS AND
IMPRISONMENT, BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN IGNORED THEIR OWN
SAFETY AND STOOD UP FOR WHAT IS DECENT AND RIGHT.
- 2 -
IT IS AN HONOR TO STAND AT THIS GLORIOUS "LIVING
MEMORIAL" IN MARTIN LUTHER KING'S HOMETOWN, JUST STEPS
FROM HIS BIRTHPLACE AND FROM HIS PULPIT, TO TALK ABOUT
THE PROMISE OF HIS LIFE. WE ALL KNOW OF HIS ELOQUENCE;
HIS "LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL" AND HIS "I HAVE A
DREAM" SPEECH MOVED US WITH THEIR HOPE AND LOVE, THEIR
ENERGETIC PASSION, THEIR FERVENT FAITH IN THE DECENCY
OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE -- ALL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
- 4 -
THINK OF THE EARLY DAYS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS
MOVEMENT, WHEN ORGANIZERS OF THE MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOTT
CALLED HIM TO BE THEIR LEADER. IN HIS BOOK "STRIDE
TOWARD FREEDOM" HE WROTE OF SITTING ALONE AT THE
KITCHEN TABLE LATE ONE NIGHT, EXHAUSTED AND SAYING
ALOUD: "I'VE COME TO THE POINT WHERE I CAN'T FACE IT
ALONE." BUT ALMOST AT ONCE HIS FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY
BEGAN TO MELT AWAY; AN "INNER VOICE," AS HE CALLED IT,
SPOKE TO HIM. IT TOLD HIM TO CONTINUE TO DO WHAT HE
KNEW TO BE RIGHT.
- 5 -
AND BECAUSE HE COULD EXPRESS WHAT HE KNEW WITH SUCH
ELOQUENCE AND PASSION, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AWAKENED TO
THE PROMISE OF CIVIL RIGHTS FOR ALL. TODAY, THANKS IN
LARGE PART TO MARTIN LUTHER KING'S WORK, WE HAVE A
BATTERY OF LAWS DEDICATED TO A COLORBLIND AMERICA; WE
HAVE A RENEWED COMMITMENT FROM GOVERNMENT TO ENFORCE
THE BASIC RIGHTS OF ITS CITIZENS.
- 6 -
PERHAPS MOST MARVELOUS OF ALL, WE'VE SEEN A CHANGE IN
THE HEARTS OF MANY AMERICANS, WHO SET ASIDE OLD
PREJUDICES AND STEREOTYPES TO EMBRACE THE VALUES DR.
KING BESEECHED US TO EMBRACE, THE VALUES OF TOLERANCE
AND DECENCY AND MUTUAL RESPECT. THAT SPIRIT BRINGS US
HERE TODAY.
- 7 -
UNFORTUNATELY, RACISM AND BLIND HATRED STILL EXIST
IN OUR LAND, AND WE SEE INCIDENTS -- ISOLATED, I HOPE
-- OF INTOLERANCE AND HATRED: RACIALLY MOTIVATED
ASSAULTS ON SCHOOL CHILDREN; WANTON VIOLENCE DIRECTED
AGAINST PEOPLE MERELY BECAUSE OF THEIR RACE;
DEMAGOGUES, WHITE AND BLACK, TRYING TO DIVIDE THIS
NATION OF IDEALS.
EVEN MARTIN LUTHER KING'S MEMORY HAS BEEN
TARNISHED.
- 8 -
LATELY, NATIONWIDE TELEVISION STATIONS HAVE SHOWN A
POPULAR MUSIC VIDEO THAT GLORIFIES RACIAL VIOLENCE,
PARAMILITARY ASSAULTS AND THE ASSASSINATION OF PUBLIC
OFFICIALS. OUTRAGEOUSLY, THE VIDEO INTERSPERSES THESE
UGLY SCENES WITH FILM FOOTAGE OF DR. KING'S NONVIOLENT
STRUGGLE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS. MRS. KING, I KNOW YOU HAVE
CONDEMNED THIS PERVERSION OF YOUR HUSBAND'S WORK.
- 9 -
WE ALL SHOULD STAND UP TO THOSE WHO RESORT TO BIGOTRY
AND INTOLERANCE, WHO APPEAL TO THE BASEST PARTS OF
HUMAN NATURE, RATHER THAN TO THE NOBLEST STIRRINGS OF
OUR SOULS.
AMERICA HAS NO PLACE FOR THIS KIND OF CYNICAL
EXPLOITATION. I SALUTE YOUR WORK, MRS. KING, AND THAT
OF YOUR COLLEAGUES HERE AT THE KING CENTER.
- 10 -
You TRAIN YOUNG AMERICANS IN THE PRINCIPLES OF
NONVIOLENCE AND PEACEFUL CHANGE. HERE THEY CAN LEARN
THE VALUES THAT SHAPED THE LIFE AND WORKS OF MARTIN
LUTHER KING.
THE TRUE SOURCE OF THOSE VALUES, OF OUR VIRTUES AS
INDIVIDUALS AND AS A NATION, IS THE FAMILY. I AM
STRUCK, MRS. KING, BY HOW OFTEN IN OUR CONVERSATIONS
TOGETHER YOU HAVE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY
LIFE. BARBARA AND I CERTAINLY FEEL IT IN OUR OWN
LIVES.
- 11 -
THE PROBLEMS THAT AFFLICT so MANY AMERICAN COMMUNITIES
TODAY -- HOMELESSNESS, CRIME, DRUGS -- OFTEN SYMBOLIZE
THE DECLINE OF FAMILY. FAR TOO MANY OF OUR CHILDREN
PASS THROUGH LIFE WITHOUT GOALS LARGER THAN THEMSELVES,
WITHOUT A SENSE OF THEIR OWN WORTH OR THE WORTH OF
OTHERS, WITHOUT THE VALUES THAT THE LOVE OF A PARENT OR
A GRANDPARENT INSTILL.
- 12 -
THIS TERRIBLE WEAKENING OF THE FAMILY IS NOT JUST
SOMEBODY ELSE'S PROBLEM; IT AROUSES OUR CONCERN AND
DEMANDS OUR COMMITMENT.
MARTIN LUTHER KING TAUGHT US THAT ALL ARE CALLED TO
SERVE, NO MATTER THEIR PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. AND
EACH OF US CAN SERVE. ON THE LAST NIGHT OF HIS LIFE,
DR. KING TALKED OF VISITING THE HOLY LAND WHEN HE WAS A
YOUNG MAN -- WITH YOU, MRS. KING.
- 13 -
HE TRAVELED THE ROAD FROM JERUSALEM TO JERICHO, THE
SAME ROAD WHERE THE GOOD SAMARITAN STOPPED, AS THE
BIBLE TEACHES, TO HELP A STRANGER. THE ROAD WAS ROCKY
AND FULL OF BLIND CURVES, AND DR. KING SOON REALIZED
THAT PEOPLE FAILED TO STOP THE STRANGER BECAUSE THEY
WERE AFRAID. OTHERS HAD ASKED THEMSELVES, "IF I STOP
TO HELP THIS MAN, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME?" BUT THE
GOOD SAMARITAN ASKED HIMSELF, "IF I DON'T STOP TO HELP
THIS MAN, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO HIM?"
- 14 -
THE QUESTION, "WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO OTHERS?" SHOULD
SHAPE OUR EFFORTS TO BUILD A LAND OF BROTHERHOOD AND
PROSPERITY. MERE RHETORIC CANNOT OFFER HOPE. EMPTY
PROMISES CANNOT DELIVER SALVATION. DR. KING LIVES IN
THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF AMERICANS BECAUSE HIS DEEDS
MATCHED HIS SOARING WORDS. WE, Too, MUST SEEK NOT JUST
THE RIGHT GOALS, BUT REAL SOLUTIONS.
WE SHOULD BEGIN WITH THE GOAL THAT GAVE BIRTH TO
THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT -- QUALITY EDUCATION FOR ALL.
- 15 -
THIS DREAM REMAINS AN UNFULFILLED PROMISE FOR TOO MANY
OF OUR CHILDREN.
AGAIN, EACH OF US CAN HELP. IF I CAN BRAG FOR A
MOMENT HERE, BARBARA OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS HAS
MADE A POINT OF IMPRESSING UPON PEOPLE THE IMPORTANCE
OF READING TO KIDS, TO BROADEN THEIR HORIZONS AND
EXPAND THEIR YOUNG MINDS. EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE MUST
BE A GOAL OF ALL WHO CARE ABOUT CIVIL RIGHTS.
- 16 -
THE MOVEMENT ALSO SOUGHT TO OFFER EQUAL ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL. A GROWING, VIBRANT ECONOMY BUILDS
BRIDGES OF INTEREST AND BROTHERHOOD, AND WE SHOULD JOIN
TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT THIS NATION PRODUCES MORE
OPPORTUNITIES, MORE HOPE, AND MORE REAL PROGRESS FOR
EVERYONE.
FINALLY, LET US REMEMBER OUR SHARED DETERMINATION
TO BUILD A NATION UNITED -- BY IDEALS, BY HOPE, BY
FELLOWSHIP.
- 17 -
RATHER THAN TRYING TO FIND WHAT SEPARATES US, LET US
APPEAL TO BROADER AND MORE PROFOUND VIRTUES THAT BIND
US TOGETHER.
WHEN INTOLERANCE FLARES ANEW, LET US EXTINGUISH ITS
FIRES. WHEN A CHILD YEARNS FOR LOVE, LET US REACH
OUT. I THINK OF BARBARA CRADLING A CRACK BABY IN HER
ARMS, AND I KNOW THAT REAL BROTHERHOOD, REAL PROGRESS,
REAL HOPE ARISES NOT OUT OF A LAW OR REGULATION, BUT
OUT OF A LOVING HEART.
- 18 - -
LET'S JOIN HANDS FOR POSITIVE AIMS: WHOLE FAMILIES,
SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS, GOOD SCHOOLS, AND AN ECONOMY LARGE
AND STRONG ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE ALL OUR DREAMS.
DR. KING SHOWED THAT ONE MAN CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS IN
A COUNTRY DEDICATED TO BROTHERHOOD. BUT OUR STRUGGLE
NEED NOT BE so LONELY. TOGETHER, WE CAN BUILD THE
"WELCOME TABLE" THE SPIRITUAL SPEAKS OF, WHERE ALL
AMERICANS CAN EAT AND NEVER BE HUNGRY, DRINK AND NEVER
BE THIRSTY. WE CAN MAKE MARTIN LUTHER KING'S DREAM
REAL.
- 19 -
THANK YOU ALL, AND NOW I WILL SIGN THE MARTIN
LUTHER KING HOLIDAY PROCLAMATION.
# # #
M.L. DIRINUM
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1992 \ 10:00 A.M.
THANK YOU, JESSE [HILL]. IT's A PLEASURE TO BE
HERE WITH MRS. KING, BERNICE KING, AND MEMBERS OF THE
KING FAMILY. I BROUGHT LOUIS SULLIVAN WITH ME, AND I
CAN TELL YOU I COUNT ON HIS ADVICE AND COUNSEL EVERY
DAY IN WASHINGTON. I WANT TO THANK Gov. MILLER AND
MAYOR JACKSON FOR THEIR WORDS. THANKS ALSO TO REV.
ROBERTS AND THE MARVELOUS MOREHOUSE GLEE CLUB.
- 2 -
IT IS AN HONOR To STAND AT THIS GLORIOUS "LIVING
MEMORIAL," HERE IN MARTIN LUTHER KING'S HOMETOWN, JUST
STEPS FROM HIS BIRTHPLACE AND FROM HIS PULPIT, TO TALK
ABOUT THE PROMISE OF HIS LIFE. WE ALL KNOW OF HIS
ELOQUENCE; HIS "LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL" AND HIS "I
HAVE A DREAM" SPEECH MOVED US WITH THEIR HOPE AND LOVE,
AND WITH THE ABIDING FAITH DR. KING HAD IN THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE.
Mrs. G. Sullivan
T. Crarret
R. Woodson
Rep. N. Gingrich
D. Spurlock
S.K. Brown
L, Davis
Sec. sullivan
C.S. King
R. Quincy
- 3 -
WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, MRS. KING, WITH THIS GLORIOUS
"LIVING MEMORIAL," SERVES TO REMIND US OF THE COURAGE
WITH WHICH MARTIN LUTHER KING OVERCAME HATRED AND
MISTRUST. IT IS TOO EASY FOR US, ALMOST A QUARTER OF A
CENTURY AFTER HIS DEATH, TO FORGET THE LONELINESS OF
HIS STRUGGLE. THINK OF THE EARLY DAYS OF THE CIVIL
RIGHTS MOVEMENT, WHEN ORGANIZERS OF THE MONTGOMERY BUS
BOYCOTT CALLED HIM TO BE THEIR LEADER.
- 4 -
IN HIS BOOK "STRIDE TOWARD FREEDOM" HE WROTE OF SITTING
ALONE AT THE KITCHEN TABLE LATE ONE NIGHT DURING THAT
LONELY TIME, AND SAYING ALOUD: "I'VE COME TO THE POINT
WHERE I CAN'T FACE IT ALONE." BUT ALMOST AT ONCE HIS
FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY BEGAN TO MELT AWAY; AN "INNER
VOICE," AS HE CALLED IT, SPOKE TO HIM. IT TOLD HIM TO
CONTINUE TO DO WHAT HE KNEW TO BE RIGHT.
AND BECAUSE HE COULD EXPRESS WHAT HE KNEW WITH SUCH
ELOQUENCE AND PASSION, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AWAKENED TO
THE PROMISE OF CIVIL RIGHTS FOR ALL.
- 5 -
TODAY, THANKS IN LARGE PART TO MARTIN LUTHER KING'S
WORK, WE HAVE A BATTERY OF LAWS DEDICATED TO A
COLORBLIND AMERICA; WE HAVE A RENEWED COMMITMENT FROM
GOVERNMENT TO ENFORCE THE BASIC RIGHTS OF ITS CITIZENS.
PERHAPS MOST MARVELOUS OF ALL, WE'VE SEEN A CHANGE IN
THE HEARTS OF MANY AMERICANS, WHO SET ASIDE OLD
PREJUDICES AND STEREOTYPES TO EMBRACE THE VALUES
DR.KING BESEECHED US TO EMBRACE, THE VALUES OF
TOLERANCE AND DECENCY AND MUTUAL RESPECT.
- 6 -
AT THE HEART OF THESE VALUES, AS DR. KING KNEW, IS
THE FAMILY. I AM STRUCK, MRS. KING, BY HOW OFTEN IN
OUR CONVERSATIONS TOGETHER YOU HAVE STRESSED THE
IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY LIFE. BARBARA AND I CERTAINLY
FEEL IT IN OUR OWN LIVES. THINK OF THE PROBLEMS THAT
AFFLICT so MANY AMERICAN COMMUNITIES TODAY --
HOMELESSNESS, CRIME, DRUGS. YET THESE ARE NOT so MUCH
ISOLATED PROBLEMS AS SYMPTOMS OF ONE GREAT PROBLEM, THE
DECLINE OF FAMILY.
- 7 -
FAR TOO MANY OF OUR CHILDREN PASS THROUGH LIFE WITHOUT
GOALS LARGER THAN THEMSELVES, WITHOUT A SENSE OF THEIR
OWN WORTH OR THE WORTH OF OTHERS, WITHOUT THE VALUES
THAT ONLY THE LOVE OF A PARENT OR A GRANDPARENT CAN
INSTILL.
THIS PROBLEM, THIS TERRIBLE WEAKENING OF THE
FAMILY, IS NOT JUST SOMEBODY ELSE'S PROBLEM. IT
DEMANDS SOMETHING FROM EACH OF US. MARTIN LUTHER KING
TAUGHT US THAT EACH OF US IS CALLED TO SERVE,
REGARDLESS OF PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
- 8 -
AND EACH OF US CAN SERVE. ON THE LAST NIGHT OF HIS
LIFE, BEFORE THAT TERRIBLE DAY IN MEMPHIS, DR. KING
TOLD A STORY THAT I THINK OF OFTEN. HE TOLD OF
VISITING THE HOLY LAND WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG MAN, WITH
YOU, MRS. KING. HE HAPPENED TO TRAVEL THE ROAD FROM
JERUSALEM TO JERICHO, THE SAME ROAD WHERE THE GOOD
SAMARITAN STOPPED, AS THE BIBLE TEACHES, TO HELP A
STRANGER.
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THE ROAD WAS ROCKY AND FULL OF BLIND CURVES, AND AS HE
TRAVELED DR. KING REALIZED THAT THE REASON OTHERS
FAILED TO STOP TO HELP THE STRANGER WAS THAT THEY WERE
AFRAID. OTHERS HAD ASKED THEMSELVES, "IF I STOP TO
HELP THIS MAN, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME?" BUT THE GOOD
SAMARITAN ASKED HIMSELF, "IF I DON'T STOP TO HELP THIS
MAN, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO HIM?"
THE JOY OF PERSONAL SERVICE IS THAT IT IS OPEN TO
ALL.
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THE OTHER DAY I MET WITH MAGIC JOHNSON IN THE OVAL
OFFICE, AND I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE WAY THIS MAN HAS
DEDICATED HIMSELF TO OTHERS -- NOT ONLY THOSE WITH HIV
BUT IN EDUCATING THOSE WHO ARE AT RISK. HE'S BEEN VERY
HONEST AND FORTHRIGHT ABOUT THE ISSUE. HE'S OUT THERE
RIGHT NOW TEACHING KIDS THAT LIFESTYLE'S IMPORTANT.
HE'S ADMITTED HE MADE SOME TERRIBLE MISTAKES. BUT NOW
HE WANTS TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT. I WANT TO USE THIS
BULLY PULPIT OF THE WHITE HOUSE FOR THE SAME PURPOSE.
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ANYONE WHO VISITS AIDS CLINICS, AS BARBARA AND I HAVE,
CAN'T HELP BUT BE STRUCK BY THE DEDICATION OF THE
COUNTLESS DOCTORS, NURSES, RESEARCHERS AND VOLUNTEERS
WHO UNDERSTAND THE HUMAN FACE OF AIDS. WHEN BARBARA
HOLDS AN AIDS BABY IN HER ARMS, SHE'S TRYING TO EXPRESS
THAT SAME MESSAGE -- THE MESSAGE OF COMPASSION AND
SERVICE.
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THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO SERVE. WITH HER LITERACY
PROGRAM BARBARA HAS TRIED TO IMPRESS UPON PEOPLE THE
IMPORTANCE OF READING TO KIDS, BROADENING THEIR
HORIZONS AND EXPANDING THEIR YOUNG MINDS. IT'S
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT ONE OF THE FIRST GOALS OF
THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT WAS AS BASIC AS CAN BE --
QUALITY EDUCATION FOR ALL. WE HAVE MADE ENORMOUS
PROGRESS, THANKS IN LARGE PART TO MARTIN LUTHER KING,
IN REMOVING THE LEGAL BARRIERS THAT BLOCKED PROGRESS
FOR MINORITY AMERICANS.
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BUT OTHER KINDS OF BARRIERS REMAIN. FOR INSTANCE, THE
DREAM OF QUALITY EDUCATION REMAINS AN UNFULFILLED
PROMISE FOR TOO MANY OF OUR CHILDREN.
YES, RACISM AND ANTI-SEMITISM AND BLIND HATRED
STILL EXIST IN OUR LAND. As PRESIDENT, I HAVE MADE A
PLEDGE TO ROOT OUT BIGOTRY WHEREVER WE FIND IT. EVERY
DAY, MRS. KING, YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES HERE AT THE
KING CENTER TRAIN YOUNG PEOPLE THAT THE WAY TO COUNTER
HATRED AND IGNORANCE IS PEACEFULLY, WITH NON-VIOLENCE,
COMPASSION, LOVE AND SERVICE TO OTHERS.
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IT IS THE CONTINUATION OF YOUR HUSBAND'S WORK. HE
TAUGHT US THE DIFFERENCE ONE MAN CAN MAKE IN A COUNTRY
DEDICATED TO THE IDEALS OF BROTHERHOOD. HE SAW AN
AMERICA THAT WAS LIKE THE "WELCOME TABLE" THE SPIRITUAL
SPEAKS OF, WHERE ALL AMERICANS CAN EAT AND NEVER BE
HUNGRY, DRINK AND NEVER BE THIRSTY. WITH YOUR
CONTINUING COMMITMENT AND HELP, WE WILL MEET THESE
GREAT CHALLENGES AND MAKE REAL THE DREAM OF MARTIN
LUTHER KING.
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THANK YOU ALL, AND NOW I AM PLEASED TO SIGN THE
MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY PROCLAMATION.
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