Resolution of the 46th District Democrats

Supporting the effort to make Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. the official image of King County government.

WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was born on January 15, 1929, dedicated his life to promoting peace, freedom, equality, and justice for all through non-violent means; and

WHEREAS, federal and state legislation has recognized Dr. King's legacy as one of America's outstanding civil rights leaders by adopting his birth date as a national event and holiday in this country; and

WHEREAS, King County was originally named for William Rufus DeVane King, a powerful politician of the era and slave owner from Alabama; and

WHEREAS, on February 24, 1986, the King County Council recognized the contributions made Dr. King by re-designating King County as Martin Luther King, Jr. County; and

WHEREAS, on April 19, 2005, the state of Washington officially recognized the re-designation by renaming King County in honor of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with Governor Christine Gregoire's signature on Senate Bill 5332; and

WHEREAS, King County government continued its tradition of commemorating Dr. King's ideals of peace, freedom, equality, and justice with its nineteenth Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration held at the Paramount Theatre on January 12; and

WHEREAS, King County Councilmember Larry Gossett has introduced a proposal to the Metropolitan King County Council to change the official image of King County government from the current imperial crown to the image of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT WE, THE 46TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS, support the efforts to make the image of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. the official image of King County government. We believe that this would be a fitting memorial to a man who dedicated his life to promoting peace, freedom, equality, and justice for all through non-violent means. We further believe that his image would serve as a positive symbol for all to see.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we support the economically prudent approach to gradually replace the existing logo on county buildings, paper stock and other property over the next five years in an effort to minimize the cost to the taxpayers of King County.

Submitted by Scott White

Adopted January 19, 2006