Because Monday, January 17, is the federal holiday Martin Luther King Jr. Day, many Orange County residents enjoying their day off work and school often forget that Congress declared the holiday a day of service in 1994. year.
“Today we honor the life, courage and sacrifice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His unwavering commitment to justice and civil rights has inspired many, and his moral leadership continues to be a beacon for us today,” Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman Andrew Do tweeted.
“We must continue to honor his legacy. #MLKDay”.
Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley also encouraged residents to volunteer to join the celebration.
“Today we reflect on and honor the life of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He valued community service,” she tweeted.
“Now more than ever, we need citizens ready to stand up and serve.”
President Bill Clinton signed the King’s Rest and Service Act, which was authored by the then senator. Harris Wofford and later Rep. John Lewis with the idea of bringing people of different races and backgrounds together through community service.
King, a leader in the US civil rights movement, was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1929.
In 1955, King successfully led the 1955 bus boycott that would eventually end bus segregation nationwide.
In 1963, King delivered his famous “I Had a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. A year later, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to end racial segregation in the United States. King eventually won the Nobel Peace Prize that same year.
In 1968, King was killed by James Earl Ray in a sniper attack in Memphis, Tennessee.
The nation’s federal agency for Martin Luther King Day of Service, AmeriCorps, noted that the day is the only federal holiday that encourages people to volunteer and serve in their community.
“Like everyone, I would like to live a long life; longevity is in place. But I don’t care now. I just want to do the will of God. And He let me climb the mountain. And I looked. And I saw the Promised Land,” King said in his closing speech, known as “I was at the top of the mountain.”
“I might not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we as a people are going to the promised land. So, I’m happy tonight. I don’t worry about anything. I am not afraid of any person. My eyes have seen the glory of the Lord’s coming.”
Before becoming a day of volunteering and service, Martin Luther King Jr. Day became a holiday in 1986.
Volunteering opportunities can be found at https://americorps.gov/join/find-volunteer-opportunity#/.
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John Fredricks is a California journalist for The Epoch Times. His reporting and photojournalism has been published in various award-winning publications around the world.
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