Council Passes Resolution Addressing Disparities; Encouraging Ongoing Dialogue
50 years ago, on April 4th, our nation lost its most influential and celebrated civil rights leader, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This tragedy left an indelible mark on our country, and events honoring Dr. King’s legacy and commemorating the 50th anniversary of his assassination are planned across America.
On the night before his untimely death, Dr. King delivered his last public address, popularly known as “The Mountaintop” speech, in support of striking sanitation workers protesting racial injustice, low wages, and poor working conditions. Remembering his fateful words, Dr. King also touched on his own mortality – “We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop…I’ve seen the Promised Land.”
Dr. King’s legacy, principles and values offer each of us, a unique opportunity to be champions for change, including our young people who rally for stricter gun control laws; the brave men and women of the #METOO movement; the peaceful protesters against violence; those fighting for our nation’s immigrants, and defenders of progressive civil and equal rights legislative agendas.
50 years ago, today, Dr. King said, “Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge, to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation.” These words still resonate today, offering a strong call to action to fully realize Dr. King’s dream and his legacy.
During session on Tuesday, the Prince George’s County Council unanimously approved CR-22-2018, a resolution addressing disparities and reaffirming the Council’s commitment to ongoing dialogue. We will continue to foster inclusiveness and understanding, especially during this challenging time in American history.
The Council remains dedicated to equality, as we celebrate the rich diversity in our communities, and in keeping with Dr. King’s message of peace and love, we encourage County residents to connect and engage as the fight for equity, education, justice and nonviolence endures.
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All legislative powers of Prince George’s County are vested in the County Council. The County Council sits as the District Council on zoning and land use policy, and as the Board of Health to govern and guide health policy. The County Council meets as a legislative body on Tuesdays in the Council Hearing Room on the first floor of the County Administration Building in Upper Marlboro. For more information on the Prince George’s County Council, please visit https://pgccouncil.us/