Date: 2016-02-24
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

It was a small office where so many historic persons were. in essence. able to walk in the midst of those hallowed streets. Dr. King came. I dont know whether he parked a car or walked into that office. Of course. we have all of the other surrounding areas and other names of historic persons that had the ability to walk down those streets and into that area. We take great pride in the preservation of our National Park areas. And I must compliment the National Park Service. because it has a love and affection for all those lands that it takes care of. You can see it when you are able to visit these national sites throughout our country that we have had a chance to visit. In my colleagues district will be an added place for Dr. Martin Luther Kings resources and things his hands touched. What an appropriate time in our history to be able again to thank this man of peace. of nonviolence. and to remind ourselves that America is really a great country to have given birth to him. Along with the plight and conditions in which he lived in at the time and the conditions which he was subjected to. to our knowledge. he never became embittered. He always. although frustrated at moments. recognized love and nonviolence. I hope that with the recognition he will get and the protection of these wonderful assets. people will come there for solace. It will be another place. along with the monument here in Washington. where people will come here for solace and the recognition that nonviolence and peace and the human dignity of all people are virtues of this Nation carried forward by a great and wonderful and heroic leadersomeone whom I at least had a small moment to be associated with through his organization after his death. And I thank him. I rise today in support of H.R. 2880. the "Martin Luther King. Jr. National Historical Park Act." In 1980. Congress passed legislation (P.L. 96428). establishing the Martin Luther King. Jr. National Historic Site. H.R. 2880 redesignates the "Martin Luther King Junior. National Historic Site" as the "Martin Luther King. Jr. National Historical Park." This name change is important because it recognizes the greater physical extent that the site represents not only for African American history. but American history. This legislation will improve the preservation and ensure the continuous protection of this historic district. When passed. in 1980. the law set the boundaries of the site along a portion of Auburn Avenue in Atlanta. This area includes the birthplace of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.. the Ebenezer Baptist Church. where both he and his father preached. and the immediate surrounding area. That law also designated a preservation district that extended protection beyond the immediate neighborhood surrounding the birthplace and church to include the broader Sweet Auburn commercial district. Since 1980. Congress has twice modified the boundaries of the site and preservation district (P.L. 102575 and P.L. 108314). H.R. 2880 will extend the boundaries of the site to include the Prince Hall Masonic Temple. which is where the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) established its initial headquarters in 1957. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. was a cofounder and the first president of the SCLC. It is fitting that we remember the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America. The life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. reminds us that nothing is impossible when we are guided by the better angels of our natu re. Dr. King walked the walk. going to jail 29 times to achieve freedom for others. He knew he would pay the ultimate price for his leadership. but kept on marching and protesting and organizing anyway. It is proper that we remember this man of action. who put his life on the line for freedom and justice every day. So it is fitting that we pass H.R. 2880 and expand. protect. and preserve the Martin Luther King. Jr. National Historic Park so that for generations to come it remains a living memorial to the men and women who led the movement that helped our nation live up to the true meaning of its creed and inspired nonviolent movements for social change the world over.