Transcript of Remarks at Vigil on Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Assassination

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s family and Ukranian Ambassador Oksana Markarova for a candlelight vigil to observe the 54th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. King. Below are the Speaker's remarks:

Speaker Pelosi. Thank you. Thank you so much for your very warm introduction and the invitation to be here.

My friends, as you may know, Members of Congress are afforded many honors, Speaker of the House even more so. But I can think of none that fills me with more emotion and pride than to be, once again, with the King family. We were together in October, as was mentioned, for the tenth anniversary. We were together on Martin Luther King Day in January, and now three days – three times in about six months together. What an honor.

And I know when I say that I speak for many who are here, honored to be here with our distinguished Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Joyce Beatty. Joyce, I don't want to tell tales out of school, but Mr. Cleaver and Mr. Green were here during the votes.

[Laughter]

In any event, I know you and Bobby Scott — I see Bobby Scott here, Barbara Lee, Congresswoman Williams from Georgia and others will be coming in as the votes are ending. Oh, Jackie Speier of California here as well.

So again, on behalf of the Congress of the United States, to the family: thank you for the opportunity to be with you on this very, very sad day for our country. When this great leader, this brilliant visionary, this person of courage was stolen from us. Stolen from your family, stolen from this country.

So, Martin, it's nice to be with you again. Arndrea, you're making – her own path in the civil rights movement. And darling, Yolanda. Oh my goodness. She is just so remarkable. We've heard her speak on any number of occasions, and she is indeed, a voice of the future. I'm also glad to see our friends in labor who are here, the – wonderful to see you.

Again, it's always a privilege to return to this monument to Martin Luther King, Jr. – this memorial. A spectacular monument to love, to justice and to peace here on America's front yard. And how special again to come together now. This is the rock – the stone of hope. People say to me, Madam Ambassador, from time to time: ‘Where is hope?' That was what Mr. King's message – a message of hope. Where is hope anymore? Hope is sitting there where it always has been, sitting right between faith – faith and love. And the faith of Dr. King and the civil rights movement gave them faith in the goodness of others, in charity and in love, gave them hope. And here we are, this day, having this beautiful wreath, saluting the courage of the people of Ukraine in front of the stone of hope.

On that day we came in October, we spoke about Congress's work to do as Dr. King guided us – make real the promises of democracy, to meet the needs of America's families, racial, social and economic justice, for all, justice. In doing so, we work to make Dr. King's dream a reality for all Americans.

As we gather to remember a champion for freedom and democracy, whose life was cut short by violence and hate, the fight for democracy rages in Ukraine. Thank you, Madam Ambassador, for your beautiful words, and for referencing Dr. King's values and aspirations in them. The world is in awe of the extraordinary courage and determination of the Ukrainian people as they defend – as your people defend – democracy in their nation, and as you indicated, defending democracy in the world. And then our hearts break as we've witnessed the tragic toll of the Russians' cruel aggression: children murdered, homes destroyed, communities devastated.

Again, let us salute the Ukranian Ambassador, Ambassador Markarova, for your being with us – a respected leader and a devoted champion for democracy.

It's appropriate today that we lay this wreath – this beautiful sunflower wreath at Dr. King's feet. A symbol of our nation's solidarity with Ukraine and our mutual prayers for peace. As we stand up for democracy abroad, the Democratic Congress remains unrelenting in fighting for our democracy here at home.

We will not stop until we win that fight. This means defending voter rights, which Dr. King called the ‘foundation stone' of participation in our democracy. That means protecting our elections against nullification and interposition about which Dr. King ominously warned those many years ago – he warned. This means ending injustice in health care, which Dr. King called the most shocking and most inhuman injustice in every aspect of our society, because people could die. And this means finally ending the horrors of violence, and especially gun violence, which claimed the life of Dr. King, to build a safer future for our children.

One of the reasons some of our Members were delayed is because we had a moment of silence on the Floor to observe what happened in California yesterday, in terms of the – well, I guess it happened Saturday night – in terms of the gun violence, killing people there. Something Dr. King fought against.

As we gather, we honor Dr. King's life and leadership. Imagine, this monument, this memorial on the Mall – there is no other person except a President of the United States who has a memorial on the Mall and has a day in his honor. He was fearless in the fight for democracy, in marches, at boycotts, at lunch counters and in church pulpits. And in devoting and ultimately giving his life for democracy. Our hearts break for you.

He inspired generations to carry on his mission. How proud he would be of you, Yolanda? You know that.

In his book Stride Toward Freedom, he taught us that, quote, ‘Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Your social advance rolls – no social advance rolls in on the wheels of inevitability.' He went on to say, ‘This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for rigorous and positive action.'

Let us heed Dr. King's immortal words and, in his indomitable spirit, renew our vow to safeguard democracy for generations to come and to give people hope. Thank you.

We've been joined by another Member of our Caucus, Steve Horsford. Anybody else come in since then? Who's there? I can't see. Oh, John Garamendi. They have on masks – they have on masks.

Anyway, what an honor it is for all of us to be with the King family today and with each and every one of you. Thank you. God bless you.

Hey, how about if we talk about Harry Johnson? Isn't he wonderful? He has really perpetuated — made strong this legacy. Thank you.