Peters Statement on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:

“Today, we honor the life and legacy of an American hero, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is fitting that we celebrate Dr. King with a day of service considering that his commitment to helping others shaped our history in a way that few others are able to do. By relying on a deep sense of community and compassion, rather than hatred and violence, his message represented the best of what America was and could be.

“Last year, we recognized the fiftieth anniversary of the Selma marches and passage of the Voting Rights Act. Unfortunately, a half-century later, several state legislatures, including Michigan’s, are imposing new barriers to voting that make it harder for voters to make their voices heard. Whether we are talking about Ferguson, Baltimore, Staten Island or Inkster, we continue to see too many deeply troubling incidents that show our criminal justice system is in desperate need of a complete overhaul, as trust erodes between law enforcement, the justice system and our communities.

“It is our duty to keep fighting for voting rights and civil rights as we work to continue Dr. King’s legacy, but his work extended to social, economic and environmental justice as well. We must lift up all communities by creating more good-paying jobs, ensuring access to safe drinking water and investing in quality education so that our children can succeed both in and out of the classroom.

“I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in Congress to make Dr. King’s dream a reality for families in Michigan and across the country. By giving all Americans a fair shot at the American Dream, we can pay meaningful tribute to Dr. King and the values he stood for, not just today but every day.”