Luján Statement on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Nambé, N.M. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day: 

“Today, our nation comes together to celebrate the life and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In honor of Dr. King – and his vision – we must continue to strive for the ideals and values that Dr. King championed. 

“Across the country, there has been a rise in prejudice, hate, and white nationalism – the same intolerance that Dr. King and civil rights leaders tirelessly fought against. Nearly sixty years since his letter from Birmingham Jail, the fight for justice and equitable access to the ballot box, health care, education continues. Today and every day, I hope we can all commit ourselves to the message of nonviolence Dr. King advocated for – to create a better and more just America. 

“Congress must pass legislation that supports every American’s right to live in an equitable society. The dream is not just for the few, but for everyone. I will continue to work in the Senate to pass legislation like the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, and the Protecting Our Democracy Act, to protect the advancements made by so many civil rights activists who came before us. This is how we continue to honor the great Dr. King.”