Congressman Carson Honors Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King at Indianapolis Events
January 18, 2010
INDIANAPOLIS– Today, Congressman André Carson paid tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by attending two local celebrations honoring the great civil rights leader. Below are excerpts from the remarks Congressman Carson gave today honoring Dr. King (as prepared for delivery):
"Today as we commemorate the birth and life of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we pay tribute to his tremendous leadership and his inspirational work to further the rights and opportunity for ALL people.
"Certainly, one of Dr. King's great legacies is his advancement of equal rights for African-Americans. And there is evidence all around us of that trail he helped blaze.
"My grandmother was the first African-American to represent Indianapolis in the United State Congress. Today, the number of African Americans serving our nation in statehouses across the country and in Washington has increased dramatically as a direct result of Dr. King's work. And of course look no further than 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to see the ultimate sign of how far we've come in this nation thanks to the leadership of Dr. King.
"Certainly, one of Dr. King's great legacies is his advancement of equal rights for African-Americans. And there is evidence all around us of that trail he helped blaze.
"My grandmother was the first African-American to represent Indianapolis in the United State Congress. Today, the number of African Americans serving our nation in statehouses across the country and in Washington has increased dramatically as a direct result of Dr. King's work. And of course look no further than 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to see the ultimate sign of how far we've come in this nation thanks to the leadership of Dr. King.
"But while we celebrate this progress, I am sure Dr. King would challenge us to never rest on our laurels. Because among all these positive examples of how far we've come is troubling evidence of how far we still have to go.
"People are still suffering across this country. Income inequality is at an all time high, even surpassing the disparities seen during the Great Depression. The middle class is shrinking—the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.
"These troubling disparities are also on display in our health care system, where more than 45,000 people die every year because they have no health insurance. In my district alone, more than 100,000 people are uninsured as we speak—nearly one in five people.
"And in some of our most challenged neighborhoods, in this city and in communities across the nation, we have too many of our friends and neighbors living in poverty—in conditions akin to some of the most impoverished nations in the world.
"Brothers and sisters, people of all races, creed and colors are being hurt by these economic injustices that still permeate our land.
"There is no doubt in my mind that if Dr. King were alive today, this is where his focus would be: building bridges across this chasm that separates the haves and the have-nots. There is no excuse for a world-power like America to have people living in third-world conditions.
"Dr. King once said:
‘The curse of poverty has no justification in our age. The time has come for us to civilize ourselves by the total, direct and immediate abolition of poverty.'
"Today, that statement rings even more true.
"The best way for each of us to pay tribute to Dr. King is to live out his legacy every day. That means being politically active and holding accountable our elected representatives and running for office yourself if necessary.
"That means volunteering in our community to help our brothers and sisters—especially our young people, who need our guidance and mentorship. And it means investing every day in our neighborhoods of greatest need.
"Dr. King has taught us that, and I quote:
‘Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'
"We all must answer that question every day with a resounding answer of action and compassion if we are ever to achieve Dr. King's dream of equality and opportunity for all."
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