United States Senate

“ Whereas Coretta Scott King was an inspirational figure and a woman of great strength, grace, and dignity who came to personify the ideals for which her husband fought; Whereas Coretta Scott was born and raised in rural Alabama, graduated as the valedictorian from Lincoln High School, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio; Whereas Coretta Scott fought to be allowed to teach in the local public schools in Ohio but was denied because of her race ”

“ Whereas just 4 days after the assassination of her husband in 1968, Mrs. King led a march of 50,000 people through the streets of Memphis and, later that year, took his place in the Poor People's March to Washington; Whereas Mrs. King devoted her energy to carrying on the message of nonviolence and the work of her husband to create a United States in which all people have equal rights ”

“ King traveled to every corner of the United States and the globe to speak out on behalf of a number of important issues, including racial and economic justice, the rights of women and children, religious freedom, full employment, health care, and education; and Whereas Coretta Scott King was a civil rights icon and one of the most influential African Americans in history: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) mourns the loss of Coretta Scott King; (2) admires her lifelong commitment to social justice and peace ”