ALCOAST 013/20 - JAN 2020 2020 DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. FEDERAL HOLIDAY

united states coast guard

R 141127 JAN 20
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-00H//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N05350//
ALCOAST 013/20
COMDTNOTE 5350
SUBJ:  2020 DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. FEDERAL HOLIDAY
1. The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on January 20, 2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the
national day of service that celebrates the civil rights leader’s life and legacy. The
recurring theme, “Remember-Celebrate-Act, A Day On, Not a Day Off,” captures the spirit of
Dr. King, a renowned advocate for freedom, justice, and equality.
2. Dr. King was born on 15 January 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia and grew up to follow in the
footsteps of his father and maternal grandfather, becoming a pastor and proponent of civil
rights. After completing his studies at the School of Theology at Boston University, a sense
of duty led him to accept a position as the Senior Pastor at the Dexter Avenue Baptist church
in Montgomery, Alabama in 1954. The decision by Rosa Parks, a black passenger, who refused to
give up her seat to a white passenger on a Montgomery City bus in 1955, led Dr. King and others
to organize a successful, 11-month boycott of the Montgomery City buses. The boycott ended when
the Supreme Court ruled that Alabama’s laws, which required racially segregated seating, were
unconstitutional.
3. Public initiative to integrate the buses and further nonviolent efforts to eliminate
discrimination and disfranchisement were often met with horrendous violence. Dr. King held fast
to his principles of nonviolence and successfully pushed for the passage of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. For these acts and his advocacy for social justice
and equal opportunity, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
4. Today, because Dr. King worked toward a dream of equality, his birthday is celebrated as a
national day of service.  Dr. King believed in a nation of freedom and justice for all, and
encouraged all citizens to live up to the purpose and potential of America by applying the
principles of nonviolence to making the country a better place to live. MLK Day is the only
federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer
to improve their communities.
5. On this federal holiday and throughout the year, all Coast Guard units and commands are
encouraged to participate in activities, service projects, and special events that strengthen
our communities. For more information about the national day of service, visit www.MLKDay.gov,
and to learn more about Dr. King, go to www.thekingcenter.org.
6. Dr. Terri A. Dickerson, Director, Civil Rights Directorate, sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.