Date: 1983-08-02
Speaker: PHILIP M. CRANE (republican)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. my vote in opposition to H.R. 3345. designating the birthday of Martin Luther King. Jr.. a legal public holiday should not be interpreted as a statement that we should not honor the man and his vision. Rather it is the question of the effect of most legislation we passthe cost to the taxpayer and to our Nations business of removing another productive workday from the calendar year. It will cost $225 million in lost Federal work force productivity. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates it will cost businesses $4.3 billion. I also question the propriety of Dr. Kings being so honored. Jesus Christ is the only individual whose birthday is now so recognized. We have discontinued honoring George Washingtons birthday. instead we celebrate Presidents Day. It should be noted that the States are at liberty to create whatever State holidays they choose. 17 States now honor Dr. Kings birthday. two of them designate it a Sunday. In Illinois. we honor Lincoln. in Virginia they honor Robert E. Lee. and in Alabama they honor Jefferson Davis. Let the States take this action. Finally. when the bill was considered in the House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. an amendment was offered that would proclaim Sunday such a day. If it is the intent of the bills proponents to provide a day commemorating Dr. Kings efforts to gain equal justice for all. it seems to me the best way to do this is to designate a Sunday for such a day. It should be noted that this option was precluded by the procedure used to bring the bill to a vote. The Washington Post quoted a supermarket clerk who commented on the matter of establishing a Federal holiday for Dr. King: The man died trying to help black garbagemen keep their jobs . . . Lets have a King Day. but make people stay in school an extra hour and let people work overtime. Mr. Speaker. it is that sentiment which I am sure Martin Luther King would have endorsed.e a Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker. I rise to congratulate my colleagues in the House on the passage of H.R. 3706. a bill to make the third Monday in January a national holiday in commemoration of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. It is particularly fitting that this bill has passed the House at this time while we are preparing to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Dr. Kings historic 1963 march on Washington. In my home State of Connecticut we have recognized Dr. Kings birthday as a State holiday for ceveral years. the time is long overdue for the Federal Government to officially honor this great man in the same way. I would hope that the Members of the Senate and the President will act swiftly to complete action on this very important measure. Dr. King was one of our greatest leaders. in one of our most troubled times. By setting aside a day to honor his memory we can insure that future generations will learn of Dr. Kings valiant struggle for civil rights and justice for all people. I can think of no man who would serve as a finer example for our young people. and with much of what Dr. King set out to accomplish still not achieved. we must do all we can to encourage others to follow in his footsteps. I was proud to vote with the majority of my colleagues in the House today to honor Dr. King and reiterate my hope that the Senate and the President will follow suit.*