R 161640Z JAN 20
MARADMIN 023/20
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/2020 DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. FEDERAL HOLIDAY OBSERVANCE//
REF/A/PUBLIC LAW 98-144/2NOV1983/BIRTHDAY OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. FEDERAL HOLIDAY//
REF/B/DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING BIOGRAPHY/DRMARTINLUTHERKING.NET//
POC/T. M. VELAZQUEZ/CIV/UNIT: MRA (MPE)/TEL: COM (703)784-9371/TEL: DSN (278)/EMAIL: THERESA.VELAZQUEZ@USMC.MIL//
POC/K. D. DUNN/CIV/UNIT: MRA (MPE)/TEL: COM (703)784-9371/TEL: DSN (278)/EMAIL: KENNETH.DUNN@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Since proclaimed by Public Law 98-144 in 1983, the third Monday of January proclaims the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a national day of service.  This year’s observance is Monday, 20 January 2020.  The permanent observance theme is:  “Remember! Celebrate! Act! A day on, not a day off!”
2.  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a life of peaceful, active protest against the crippling injustice of racial segregation and poverty until his assassination in Memphis, Tennessee on 4 April 1968.  Born the son of a Baptist preacher in 1929, Dr. King entered Morehouse College at fifteen years old.  At age twenty-four, he achieved his doctorate in Theology through a fellowship from Boston University, and at twenty-five, he became a pastor alongside his father in Atlanta, Georgia.  Dr. King was a young family man when he committed his courage, intelligence, and eloquence to the American Civil Rights Movement starting with the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott.
3.  Dr. King’s formal education shaped his philosophy on nonviolent demonstration and social action.  He was influenced by the writings of Henry David Thoreau and the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.  He was particularly impressed by Thoreau’s essay, “On the Duty of Civil Disobedience.”  In 1963, while imprisoned for leading a non-violent campaign in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. King hand wrote what is now known as, “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”  Within this widely circulated letter, he cited Augustine of Hippo when he stated that, “An unjust law is no law at all,” and he further articulated that even just laws can be applied unjustly.
4.  From 1955 through 1968, Dr. King led and influenced nonviolent protests for civil rights with integrity of purpose and commitment.  Across the Nation, the American people joined him in peaceful protest against injustice.  In 1963 alone, Dr. King led 125,000 people in a Freedom Walk held in Detroit, Michigan and 250,000 people in the March on Washington, D.C., which culminated with him delivering his “I Have a Dream” speech upon the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.  Recognized for his efforts, Dr. King received the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize, thus becoming the youngest person to receive the prize.  Dr. King continued his work for civil rights traveling from city to city until his tragic death in 1968.
5.  To learn more about the American Civil Rights Movement and U.S. military history, visit the Library of the Marine Corps (grc-usmcu.libguides.com/library-of-the-marine-corps) or your nearest base library.  To discover more about the life, work, and philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. read, “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” (1963).
6.  When not engaged in winning the Nation’s battles, Marines serve their local communities in myriad ways.  During this observance, commanders are encouraged to recognize and celebrate the civic volunteerism that Marines, civilians, and veterans give to our country and Corps.  Commanders are further encouraged to conduct programs and promote participation in observance events within their commands and across their local communities.
7.  Release authorized by BGen D. L. Shipley, Division Director, Manpower Plans and Policy.//