Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata released the following statement in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day:
“This year’s celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is timely, and should lead us to pause and reflect. His message, as enshrined on our National Mall, still applies to today’s news and political scene. Dr. King helped bring about lasting change through peaceful means. He persuaded people, and changed minds and hearts. As a nation, we should recommit to that ideal now.
“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, ‘The time is always right to do what is right.’ We should continue to value peaceful protests, and preserve the constitutionally protected right of the people to assemble, but those assemblies and protests must choose the right way, as Dr. King did.
“Dr. King worked to bring people together, not divide. We must continue building on his life’s work for equality. This day is a helpful current reminder to love our neighbors and have our national debates in unity, peace and kindness.
Photo: On opening day of the 116th Congress, speaking to civil rights icon the late Congressman John Lewis, who marched with Dr. King.
