Let Freedom Ring

Fifty years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King inspired us as a nation with the “I Have a Dream” part of his speech at the March on Washington. It was a call to action because of the “fierce urgency of now.” As Dr. King said, “we refuse to take the tranquility drug of gradualism; we must move forward.” And forward we will move.

On Saturday, I had the honor of joining thousands of Americans on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington—a march for liberty that I was as proud to attend this week as I was when I joined the March in 1963.

What was fiercely urgent then remains urgent today. Fifty years ago, there were only five African-American Members of the House of Representatives. Today, there are 43. Fifty years ago, we had the first Catholic President in the White House. Today, we have the first African-American President. But there is more work to do.

Dr. King would want us to celebrate his legacy by acting upon his agenda, by realizing the dream, by making the minimum wage a living wage, by having not just family and medical leave, but paid sick leave for our workers, and by having quality, affordable child care for our working families.

He would also want us fighting for voting rights. Certainly, we must pass a bill in Congress to correct what the Supreme Court did to the Voting Rights Act. But we must also ensure that every person who is eligible to vote can vote, and that their vote will be counted.

People ask me what I remember most about the March 50 years ago. I remember the music of the March, the harmony of the civil rights movement, and the notes of Dr. King’s inspirational works that must continue to inspire us. What I remember is, as Dr. King said on that August afternoon, “A beautiful symphony of brotherhood.”

We are ready to beat the drum for that beautiful symphony of brotherhood – ready to realize the dream.

As we mark Women’s Equality Day this week, we celebrate the success of the brave suffragettes who reached for the ballot, demanded their civil rights, and altered the course of history. These pioneers challenged the status quo so women today can pull the lever for progress.

Ninety-three years ago, we did more than ratify an amendment to our Constitution; we extended the core blessing of democracy – the right to vote – to all of America’s women. In doing so, we strengthened our country.

Many headlines at the time described this milestone as women being “given” the right to vote. That has never happened – women have always fought for their rights. Women were not just waiting for progress, they were tirelessly working every step of the way.

As we mark the turning point for progress and civil rights on Women’s Equality Day, we pledge to carry on the work of America’s suffragettes with that same pioneering spirit. That is why House Democrats launched “When Women Succeed, America Succeeds” – an economic agenda for women and families that will ensure generations of women enjoy the equal rights, equal treatment, and equal opportunities that they deserve.

This week, we celebrate a decision by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to grant a green card to Anthony John Makk. Though Anthony has lived in the United States for over 20 years with his husband, Bradford Wells, the couple faced separation due to the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act.

The decision marks the end of a long, unjust, and difficult journey for Anthony and Bradford. I salute them for their strength and determination, fighting together against an unjust law that told them their relationship was not worthy of recognition. And I commend the Obama Administration for acting swiftly in the wake of the DOMA decision, ensuring that the values of fairness and equality are once again upheld in our nation.

The announcement by the Internal Revenue Service that all legally married same-sex couples will now be recognized as married couples are for federal tax purposes moves us one step closer to ending discrimination against LGBT Americans and securing equal protection for all families. Once again, the Obama Administration has taken the lead in reaffirming the principle inscribed into the walls of the Supreme Court: “equal justice under the law.”

But even with today’s progress, the struggle for equality and the fight for fairness marches on. The Supreme Court placed itself on the right side of history by discarding Section 3 of DOMA earlier this year; moving forward, we must not rest until justice is done for every American, no matter who they love.