Lawmakers mark anniversary of Martin Luther King ‘I have a dream’ speech

Lawmakers commemorated the 56th anniversary of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

In commemorating the speech — one of the major historic moments of the civil rights movement — lawmakers said the anniversary of King’s remarks underline the need to rectify racial inequities and work to make political rhetoric more civil.{mosads}

“In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech at the #MarchOnWashington to nearly a quarter-million people. 56 years later, we still have much more work to do to make his dream a reality. We should all do what we can to advance his vision every single day,” Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) tweeted.

In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech at the #MarchOnWashington to nearly a quarter-million people. 56 years later, we still have much more work to do to make his dream a reality. We should all do what we can to advance his vision every single day.

— Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) August 28, 2019

Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) added that the anniversary serves as a reminder that “inequality still exists & continue to fight to end it.”

On the anniversary of the 1963 #MarchOnWashington, we not only celebrate the bravery of the 200,000 demonstrators who rightly protested the disenfranchisement of black Americans & demanded change, we also recognize that inequality still exists & continue to fight to end it. pic.twitter.com/i8DrRoB08N

— Rep. Suzan DelBene (@RepDelBene) August 28, 2019

“Only when we fulfill his vision of strength through diversity and equality will America be truly… ‘free at last,’” Rep. Donald Payne (D-N.J.) tweeted. 

Today is the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech! Only when we fulfill his vision of strength through diversity and equality will America be truly… “free at last…” #IHaveaDreamhttps://t.co/IiaIYCwRCs

— Rep. Donald Payne Jr (@RepDonaldPayne) August 28, 2019

“#MLK delivered his famous #IHaveADream speech #OnThisDay in 1963, and his words reign true 56 years later. We must continue to lead by his example, showing the world that only light can conquer darkness and that if you try to spread hate, we will respond with love,” echoed Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas).

#MLK delivered his famous #IHaveADream speech #OnThisDay in 1963, and his words reign true 56 years later. We must continue to lead by his example, showing the world that only light can conquer darkness and that if you try to spread hate, we will respond with love.

— Rep. Will Hurd (@HurdOnTheHill) August 28, 2019

Several other members of Congress shared quotes and video from the historic speech to honor King’s legacy.

“We refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt.”

– Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., August 28, 1963, Lincoln Memorial https://t.co/wlrNhPB9yd

— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) August 28, 2019

56 years later to the day, we still dream. pic.twitter.com/tfq9WLks76

— Congressmember Bass (@RepKarenBass) August 28, 2019

56-years-ago today, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his legendary I Have a Dream speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in D.C.

Today, please take a minute to read his very important words. https://t.co/6zP6V36ZhG

— Rep. Chip Roy (@RepChipRoy) August 28, 2019

The “I Have a Dream” speech was given at the height of the civil rights movement in 1963. Speaking in front of more than 50,000 civil rights supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, King said he had “a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”