January 15, 2006

Denver, Colorado - Colorado Democratic Party Chair, Pat Waak, issued the following statement in celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

"Today we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a man who changed the course of a nation and worked for the common good of all mankind. During his lifetime Dr. King foretold of a vision and a hope for an America full of potential and greatness. Since Dr. King’s death we have made tremendous progress toward alleviating the remnants of inequality and racial injustice, but there is still much work to be done.

"Our nation faces many challenges since Martin Luther King’s historic "I Have a Dream" speech. We are at war abroad while here at home the plight of poverty, unmasked by the tragedies of Hurricane Katrina, remains an issue. During his lifetime Dr. King cautioned against unjust wars and called for peaceful resolution in the place of violence. Now more than ever Dr. King’s ever prescience voice should be heeded.

"As we celebrate Dr. King’s legacy we must rededicate ourselves to the dream that he forecast more than forty years ago, a dream of racial justice and economic equality for everyone. On today’s King Holiday the best opportunity we have to memorialize his dream is through our service to others. I commend all Coloradans who will honor Dr. King’s legacy today with not just their words but through their deeds."