Senator Heinrich Statement on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which falls on Monday, January 19.

"When Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. accepted his Nobel Peace Prize in December 1964, he spoke about the imperative to protest injustice and remedy poverty. He told the group gathered that he did so 'with an abiding faith in America and an audacious faith in the future of mankind'.

"It had been only months since three men were murdered for trying to register Black voters in Mississippi and less than two years since fire hoses and dogs were unleashed on Black children protesting in Alabama.

"Even in the face of this brutality, King assured all listening: 'We shall not flinch. We shall not be cowed. We are no longer afraid.' To live together in brotherhood, he insisted we must 'reject revenge, aggression and retaliation'.

"As we watch leaders today choose revenge, aggression, and retaliation over brotherhood, it can be easy to lose hope, to stand down, or to stay quiet.

"But we can also choose an abiding, audacious faith in one another and in this country. We can also say with clarity and confidence that we will not flinch and we will not be cowed.

"Today, as we honor the words and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I hope you will join me in committing to also honor him with our actions, as we face and overcome today's uncertainties."

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