2008 Press Releases

US Presidential Message on Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, 2008

Freetown
January 18, 2008
Contact: PAO Danna Van Brandt
Tel: 076-515-000

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., changed the United States of America and its people forever through his leadership, service, and clarity of vision. On the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, Americans honor the lasting legacy of this great American, recall the ideals for which he fought, and recommit ourselves to ensuring that the nation’s promise extends to all Americans equally.

In the brief time Dr. King walked upon this earth, he devoted his life to strengthening the content of the American character and called on the American Nation to live up to its founding principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all its citizens. Dr. King's faith in the Almighty gave him the courage to confront discrimination and segregation, and he preached that all the powers of evil are ultimately no match for even one individual armed with eternal truths. Through his determination, spirit, and resolve, Dr. King helped lift souls and lead one of the greatest movements for equality and freedom in history.

America has made progress toward realizing Dr. King's dream, yet the work to achieve liberty and justice for all is never-ending. In July of 2006, President Bush was honored to sign the "Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006," to renew the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and reaffirm the government's commitment to securing the voting rights of all Americans. The United Sates government will continue to protect the rights won through the sacrifice of Dr. King and other civil rights leaders, and our country will never rest until equality is real, opportunity is universal, and all citizens are empowered to realize their dreams.

As we observe Dr. King's birthday, President Bush encourages all Americans to celebrate his memory by performing acts of kindness through service to others. Americans should live out Dr. King's teachings and continue to work for the day when the dignity and humanity
of every person is respected.

I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim January 21, 2008, as the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday. I encourage all Americans to observe this day with appropriate civic, community, and service programs and activities in honor of Dr. King's life and legacy.

In honor of Martin Luther King’s Birthday, the United States Embassy will host a panel discussion on Friday, January 25.  In addition, the Embassy will, in honor of Black History Month (February 2008), host a series of film showings around the country.  For more information, please contact the Public Affairs Section at 022-515-000 or 076-515-000.