Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, John, a time to honor, celebrate, and reflect on the life and legacy of one of our most profound civil rights leaders.

I was fortunate to meet Dr. King as a founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. I often call that first meeting my “Saul to Paul” transition, because I was never the same.

The last time I saw Dr. King alive was at a lunch at the Charleston, SC home of Septima Clark’s  in 1967. He was assassinated nine months later, and I still remember getting that news. I went home, numb, and sat in my house, turned on the radio, and listened the rest of the night. The sun came up with me sitting there.

Dr. King inspired many, including me. I dedicated my life and career to fighting for justice, equality, and civil rights for all and still do to this day in Congress.

In his letter from the Birmingham City Jail, Dr. King wrote, “The people of ill will have used time much more effectively than the people of good will.”

There are a lot of people of ill will who would like to keep drug prices high to boost pharmaceutical companies’ bottom lines. Block gun-safety efforts to benefit the NRA. Replace our democracy with an autocracy.

It’s up to the people of good will -- people like you and me -- to not remain silent.

We must stand strong in the face of injustice whenever we witness it, and we must stand strong together, John, because as Dr. King showed us, words and actions are more powerful when we are united behind them.

Thank you,

Jim