Hoyer Statement on the 55th Anniversary of the March on Washington
Press Types
Press Release
For Immediate Release:
August 28, 2018
Contact Info:
Mariel Saez 202-225-3130
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement on the 55th anniversary of the March on Washington and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech:
“On this day, fifty-five years ago, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and shared with our country and the world his dream of equality and justice. He brought thousands to the National Mall to demonstrate peacefully for the ideals that our nation was supposed to enshrine but of which it had fallen short. And he inspired millions to stand up and demand that the practice of America at last should match the promise of America.
“On that same day, John Lewis, representing student activists, also addressed the crowds, calling on all Americans to participate in the nonviolent movement for civil rights. ‘Get in and stay in the streets,’ he declared, ‘of every city, every village and hamlet of this nation until true freedom comes, until the Revolution of 1776 is complete.’ In the years since, John has been leading this continuation of our American Revolution, building on the work of Lincoln and King, and I’ve been proud to serve with him in the Congress and call him a dear friend.
“As we remember the March for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, let us rededicate ourselves to the work of civil rights, justice, and equality in our time. I look forward to continuing my work with John, our colleagues in Congress, and with civil rights organizations to carry this effort forward in the years ahead.”
“On this day, fifty-five years ago, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and shared with our country and the world his dream of equality and justice. He brought thousands to the National Mall to demonstrate peacefully for the ideals that our nation was supposed to enshrine but of which it had fallen short. And he inspired millions to stand up and demand that the practice of America at last should match the promise of America.
“On that same day, John Lewis, representing student activists, also addressed the crowds, calling on all Americans to participate in the nonviolent movement for civil rights. ‘Get in and stay in the streets,’ he declared, ‘of every city, every village and hamlet of this nation until true freedom comes, until the Revolution of 1776 is complete.’ In the years since, John has been leading this continuation of our American Revolution, building on the work of Lincoln and King, and I’ve been proud to serve with him in the Congress and call him a dear friend.
“As we remember the March for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, let us rededicate ourselves to the work of civil rights, justice, and equality in our time. I look forward to continuing my work with John, our colleagues in Congress, and with civil rights organizations to carry this effort forward in the years ahead.”