Rep. Brown Introduces Resolution to Honor the Life and Legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) introduced a resolution honoring the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy of fighting for equality for all Americans. The resolution was introduced on Dr. King’s birthday, January 15^th. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day will be observed on Monday, January 19^th. 

Congresswoman Brown’s resolution comes at a time when Dr. King’s legacy on everything from civil rights to worker’s rights is under attack by the current administration. The current administration has also removed MLK Day and Juneteenth from the National Park Service’s free entry days holiday calendar. 

Brown’s resolution is cosponsored by 47 Members of the House of Representatives.

“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy is the moral foundation of our nation’s ongoing fight for equal rights for all Americans. His life’s work reminds us that even in our darkest moments, it is love, justice and courage -- not hate and division – that moves us forward.” said Congresswoman Brown.

“Today, King’s legacy is not just something to celebrate, but something we must defend. The current administration is working overtime to erase Dr. King’s message, demonize diversity, and erase Black History, all while Black Americans are being hit hardest by cruel cuts to health care and food assistance. Dr. King showed us that we cannot stay silent. To truly honor his life and legacy, we must stand up against division, speak out against injustice, and stand firm in our fight for the just and equitable America he called for.” Congresswoman Brown added.

Congresswoman Brown’s resolution is cosponsored by the following:

Ansari Yassamin (AZ-03), Beatty Joyce (OH-03), Bishop Sanford (GA-02), Bynum Janelle (OR-05), Carter Troy (LA-02), Clarke Yvette (NY-09), Cleaver Emanuel (MO-05), Conaway Herb (NJ-03), Courtney Joe (CT-02), Dean Madeline (PA-04), Espaillat Adriano(NY-13), Figures Shomari (AL-02), Foster Bill (IL-11), Frost Maxwell (FL-10), Garamendi John (CA-08), Gay Scanlon Mary (PA-05),  Green Al (TX-09), Holmes Norton Eleanor (DC-00), Ivery Glenn (MD-04), Jackson Jonathan (IL-01), Johnson Hank (GA-04), Kamlager-Dove Sydney (CA-37), Kelly Robin(IL-02), Kennedy Timothy (NY-26), Krishnamoorthi Raja (IL-08), McBath Lucy (GA-06), McClain Delaney (MD-06), Meeks Gregory (NY-05), Meng Grace (NY-06), Mrvan Frank (IN-01), Mullin Kevin (CA-15), Panetta Jimmy (CA-19), Ramirez Delia (IL-03), Sewell Terri (AL-07), Simon Lateefah (CA-12), Strickland Marilyn (WA-10), Sykes Emilia (OH-13), Thompson Bennie (MS-02), Titus Dina (NV-01), Tlaib Rashida (MI-12), Tokuda Jill (HI-02), Tonko Paul (NY-20), Veasey Marc (TX-33), Watson Coleman Bonnie (NJ-12), Williams Nikema (GA-05), Wilson Frederica (FL-24)

Congresswoman Brown’s resolution reads as follows:

Honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by celebrating diversity, promoting tolerance, and condemning hate.

Whereas the Nation will celebrate the 97th anniversary of the birth of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Mon day, January 19, 2026;

Whereas Dr. King taught that the blessing of diversity is our strength;

Whereas Dr. King fought, marched, and preached for the inalienable rights of all people, particularly Black Americans;

Whereas among these rights is the inviolable right of every person to cast their vote and make their voice heard in a representative democracy;

Whereas tolerance for one another’s difference in race, ethnicity, gender, culture, religion, sexual orientation, age, or disability is a profound virtue;

Whereas civil discourse in a land of democratic freedom is the true promise of our country; and

Whereas Dr. King once wrote in his 1963 Letter from a Birmingham Jail, ‘‘Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly’’: Now, therefore, be it

Celebrates the 97th anniversary of the birthday of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on January 19, 2026, which shall serve as a reminder that hate and hateful conduct based on differences has no place in the United States in tribute to his life and teachings;

Affirms the words of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., ‘‘Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds’’; 

Honors the life, legacy, works, and heroism of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.;

Condemns any form of harassment, discrimination, or prejudice targeted at any minority ethnic group, including the Black community, Indigenous people, the Jewish community, the Asian-Americans and Pacific Islander community, the Muslim community, and the Hispanic and Latino communities. 

Condemns any form of harassment, discrimination, or prejudice based on a person’s gender, including the trans community and LGBTQ+ individuals;

Abhors the violence and animus that led to the untimely death of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; and

Calls on all people across the Nation and the world to uphold Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s values and teachings of justice, equality, peace, advocacy, and tolerance.

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