On the 40th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's Assasination

A message from Governor Martin O’Malley

“Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and persistent work of men willing to be co-workers with God.” -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On this day 40 years ago, the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was tragically taken from us.  Yet today, four decades later, the cause he worked so hard to advance – to challenge our nation to live out the true meaning of its creed – presses on.  And though we lost him far too early, no act of violence could still the words and actions of this great man.  No cold or dark moment could ever dim the mark he left on the soul of our nation. (more)

Rather, his vision remains timeless – the responsibility of each generation to better the world we inherited for our children and theirs.  While many of our challenges are different today, as society continues to change, there is still work left to be done. 

There are still far too many among us in our own State and Nation who lack the opportunity to improve their own lives.  Too many lives lost at the hands of drug dealers and gang violence, and too many of our children who lack basic necessities – who go to school hungry and go to bed hungry. 

Now, more than ever, we need to hold true to the life and spirit of Dr. King.  More than remembrance, ours is a responsibility of action.  Together, his dream lives and the work continues in our words and relationships, in the hopes we share with one another, and in the One Maryland we hold in our hearts.  Unbroken in the last 40 years has been the vision he proclaimed for our nation of individual human dignity, of community, of opportunity for all. 

Today we remember, in the name of love, that there is more that unites us than divides us.  And as one people, we rededicate ourselves to the hard work, the tireless effort, of building a better and stronger state – and a brighter tomorrow for the next generation."