"Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in."

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The March for Integrated Schools, April 18, 1959

Friend, 

This year, to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, the King Center is asking us to think about what we can do to shift the cultural climate. Change can only come when individuals make conscious choices and commit to action. Today, I ask you to consider how you can help your community, our country, and the world move forward.

Dr. King dedicated his life to advancing civil rights through nonviolent practices. Every day, I consider the privilege of my role and influence as a member of the United States House of Representatives. I use that privilege to advance equality and justice for all Americans.

I think about the over 700,000 Black people who are currently incarcerated–five times higher than the incarcerated white population–and work to advance policy that will eliminate racial bias in policing and incarceration. And I work to create educational and economic opportunities to bolster rehabilitation efforts and reduce recidivism.

I think about Puerto Rico’s 3.6 million residents and work to advance policy that will give Puerto Ricans stable and safe energy sources and bring full representation, voting, and more rights through Statehood.

I think about the 74 million children in this country and work alongside my colleagues to create education environments safe from gun violence, ensure proper nutrition options, and protect and provide the positive support they deserve.

And there is so much more I can and want to do to help our country move forward. I will continue to look towards the legacy of Dr. King for solace and motivation as I work to make a greater nation of our country and a finer world to live in.

Nydia