[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 1] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 581] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]SHILOH BAPTIST MISSIONARY CHURCH AS THEY CELEBRATE THE 40TH ANNUAL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., LOVE MARCH ______ HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO of connecticut in the house of representatives Friday, January 22, 2010 Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is my great privilege to rise today to join all of those gathered in honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Across Connecticut there will be a multitude of events paying tribute to Dr. King, but the longest-running will take place in my hometown of New Haven at the Shiloh Baptist Missionary Church. It is there that community leaders, families, friends, and neighbors will gather to participate in the 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Love March. Founded by the late Pastor George W. Hampton and today carried on by his son, Pastor Kennedy Hampton, Sr., for 40 years on January 15th at eleven o'clock in the morning, the Greater New Haven community has gathered to participate in the Martin Luther King, Jr., Love March. The Love March has never been cancelled or postponed--wind, rain, snow, nor freezing temperatures have determined the number of participants but has never influenced the commencement of the march. The late Pastor Hampton began the Love March as a means to remind our community of the important lessons of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement. I once heard Pastor Hampton tell the story of his meeting with Dr. King. As I recall, the Pastor told him about his work in the civil rights movement and Dr. King responded, ``That's part of the dream--keep it up.'' Pastor Hampton has certainly followed that charge. Each time I join in the March, I am inspired by the uplifting spirit of the crowd as we sing and move through the neighborhoods of New Haven. For those of us who remember those difficult times, it seems obvious why we continue these strong traditions. In some ways we should be proud that the younger generations of today ask why we continue, why is it relevant? We, as a nation, have certainly made great strides in our efforts to ensure equality among all of our citizens. However, we still have a long way to go and that is why the Love March and other events like it are so important to our communities. They remind us of how far we have come and renew our commitment to the ideals of justice and full equality for all. I am proud to stand today to congratulate the Shiloh Baptist Missionary Church on the 40th anniversary of the Love March. I cannot thank them enough for their commitment to ensuring that we always remember the sacrifices that were made by Dr. King to change the very character of our Nation--to open the doors of opportunity to all, right long-standing wrongs and bring justice to those so long denied full partnership in American society. For New Haven, the annual Love March is a cornerstone in the celebration of the life and spirit of Dr. King and remains a stirring reminder of a troubled time and a peaceful soul.