[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 16 (Thursday, January 24, 2013)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 5249-5250]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01636]
[[Page 5247]]
Vol. 78
Thursday,
No. 16
January 24, 2013
Part II
The President
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Proclamation 8927--Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, 2013
Proclamation 8928--National Day of Hope and Resolve, 2013
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 78 , No. 16 / Thursday, January 24, 2013 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 5249]]
Proclamation 8927 of January 18, 2013
Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, 2013
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
At a time of deep division nearly 50 years ago, a
booming voice for justice rang out across the National
Mall, reverberated around our country, and sent ripples
throughout the world. Speaking to thousands upon
thousands rallying for jobs and freedom, the Reverend
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his ``I Have a
Dream'' speech, challenging America to take up the
worthy task of perfecting our Union. Today, we
celebrate a man whose clarion call stirred our Nation
to bridge our differences, and whose legacy still
drives us to bend the arc of the moral universe toward
justice.
By words and example, Dr. King reminded us that
``Change does not roll in on the wheels of
inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.''
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he mobilized multitudes
of men and women to take on a struggle for justice and
equality. They braved billy clubs and bomb threats,
dogs and fire hoses. For their courage and sacrifice,
they earned our country's everlasting gratitude.
A half-century later, the march of progress has brought
us closer than ever to achieving Dr. King's dream, but
our work is not yet done. Too many young people still
grow up in forgotten neighborhoods with persistent
violence, underfunded schools, and inadequate health
care, holding little hope and few prospects for the
future. Too many Americans are denied the full equality
and opportunity guaranteed by our founding documents.
Today, Dr. King's struggle reminds us that while change
can sometimes seem impossible, if we maintain our faith
in ourselves and in the possibilities of this Nation,
there is no challenge we cannot surmount.
Every year, Americans mark this day by answering Dr.
King's call to service. In his memory, let us recall
his teaching that ``we are caught in an inescapable
network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of
destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all
indirectly.'' In keeping with Dr. King's example, let
us embrace the belief that our destiny is shared,
accept our obligations to each other and to future
generations, and strengthen the bonds that hold
together the most diverse Nation on earth.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim January 21, 2013, as
the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday. I
encourage all Americans to observe this day with
appropriate civic, community, and service projects in
honor of Dr. King and to visit www.MLKDay.gov to find
Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service projects across
our country.
[[Page 5250]]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
eighteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two
thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
seventh.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 2013-01636
Filed 1-23-13; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F3