For Release: Jan. 16, 2009
Contact: David Clementson
Email: dclementson@oag.state.va.us
Phone: 804-786-2071
Statement of Attorney General Bob McDonnell on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
RICHMOND - Attorney General Bob McDonnell issued the following statement today in recognition of the Martin Luther King, Jr. state holiday on Monday.
“On Monday our nation will celebrate the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Never in the history of this holiday has the timing been more propitious.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dedicated his life to a fundamental truth: that all persons are created equal, and deserve equal opportunity. On Tuesday our nation will take perhaps its single greatest step towards the recognition of that truth. On Tuesday, a viewer can stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, where Dr. King gave his historic “I Have a Dream” speech, and in the distance see the inauguration of our nation’s first African-American President. Rarely in our history will there be such a defining moment in our long march towards “a more perfect Union."
Dr. King’s idea of a colorblind society where judgments are made based on the content of one's character was exactly right. His advocacy of the concept of service above self is reflected in his words, “Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve."
All Virginians should pause on Monday to remember the accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”
