U.S. Rep. Lawrence Commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Renews Calls for Passage of Voting Rights Legislation

Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Representative Brenda L. Lawrence (MI-14) issued the following statement for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and renewed her call for passage of voting rights legislation, the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act.

"On June 23rd, 1963, in my hometown of Detroit, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered an impassioned speech during the historic Detroit Walk to Freedom. It was one of the largest civil rights demonstrations in our country's history and recognized the 20th anniversary of the Detroit Race Riots. For me, as a young Black girl growing up on the eastside of Detroit, he was more than a public figure and civil rights icon. Dr. King represented hope-for me, for the Black community, and for the United States.

"From the March on Washington to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, he mobilized and organized people all over the country. It was because of his efforts, and the efforts of countless others, that led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. But right now, voting rights are under attack all across the United States. Dr. King said that 'Voting is the foundation stone for political action.' And I couldn't agree more. The House did its job in passing the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, and now we must carry it across the finish line. Let Dr. King's birthday be a reminder for us to do what is right. And right now, it's time for us to protect voting rights."