Pelosi Statement on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

San Francisco – Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which is observed annually as a national day of service on the third Monday of January in honor of the civil rights leader's birthday on January 15, 1929:

“On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, our nation celebrates one of our greatest heroes, whose fierce spirit and clarion voice of truth forever altered the course of history.  Dr. King's struggle for civil rights, social and economic justice and equal opportunity advanced our nation in the journey toward a more perfect union. Americans continue to draw inspiration from his unshakable faith, extraordinary courage and unwavering vision for peace.

“While our nation has forged important progress on the road to freedom for all of God’s children, today we are reminded of the urgent work ahead needed to defend our democracy.  Dr. King explained as he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize that because of his ‘abiding faith in America and an audacious faith in the future of mankind, [he] refuse[d] to accept despair as the final response to the ambiguities of history.'

“On this National Day of Service, we must refuse to accept despair by carrying on Dr. King's legacy of hope and recommitting our fight to secure the blessings of liberty for every American — and always striving to build a future worthy of Dr. King's glorious vision.  God truly bless America with the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."