BALTIMORE — U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), issued the following statement in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is commemorated on Monday, January 18, 2016:

“As we celebrate what would have been the 87th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we reflect on his enduring legacy and the enormous impact his life has had on making America great. Dr. King was taken from this world far too soon, but he instilled in his followers an understanding that they would keep up the momentum he helped build in the struggle for peace and equality. And so, on this hard-fought national holiday dedicated to a man who embodied the highest of American ideals, we recommit to the continued mission of bending the moral arc of the universe toward justice.

“Whether Dr. King was confronted by bigotry and ignorance or seemingly unsurmountable odds and skeptics, he responded with a newly galvanized sense of unity and sense of purpose. It gives me great hope when I see Americans, especially young people, face the great challenges of our time with the same response. When I see Americans fighting for economic, environmental and social justice or the self-evident truth that black lives matter, I know that Dr. King’s teachings are still as meaningful and powerful as they were in Birmingham and Selma many years ago. Dr. King is responsible for much of the progress this country has made on many fronts in the last half century. Today is a day to celebrate but also a day of service to our nation and our communities, for we must not forget the work that still must be done before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream is a reality we can all truly enjoy.”

###