R 081840Z JAN 21
MARADMIN 010/21
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/2021 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 commemorates the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a national day of service. This year’s observance is Monday, 18 January 2021. The permanent observance theme is: “Remember! Celebrate! Act! A day on, not a day off!”
2. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American minister who led a life of peaceful, active protest against the crippling injustice of racial segregation and poverty in America until his assassination in Memphis, Tennessee on 4 April 1968. 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 protests against poverty and injustice. In 1963 alone, Dr. King led 125,000 people in a Freedom Walk held in Detroit, Michigan and 250,000 people at the March on Washington, D.C., which culminated with him delivering his “I Have a Dream” speech upon the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall. Recognized for his work in leading peaceful change, Dr. King was awarded the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize. Dr. King continued his selfless work in civil rights traveling from city to city until his tragic death in 1968.
3. 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. Read a transcript of Dr. King’s “I have a dream” speech at http://drmartinlutherking.net/dream-dr-martin-luther-king-speech.
4. 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 online programs and to promote remote participation in observance events within their commands and across their local communities where onsite activities are not feasible during COVID-19 restrictions.
5. Release authorized by BGen J. G. Woodworth, Director, Manpower Plans and Policy Division.//