Secondary sourceDocument23 January 2002
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Leader, Visionary, Hero
Benjamin Gilman · 23 January 2002
A 2002 Congressional Record tribute by Benjamin Gilman calling King a leader, visionary and hero on the anniversary of his birthday holiday.
A later congressional tribute describing King as a leader, visionary and hero whose message was meant for all Americans.
About this source
What it is
This is a statement entered into the Congressional Record on 23 January 2002 by Representative Benjamin Gilman of New York. Gilman, who had sponsored the original legislation making King's birthday a national holiday, calls on Americans, especially young people, to remember King's message, vision, and legacy.
Why it matters
The tribute shows how King's holiday was used by politicians to argue that his message was meant for all Americans, not only African Americans, reflecting ongoing debates about how to interpret and share his legacy.
Look closer
- Why does the speaker argue that King's message was for
This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Martin Luther King Jr. on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
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