By Cassie Diamond

WA State Journal

Senators called for perseverance, courage and continued work on equity as they adopted a resolution to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 19.

An invocation by Pastor Ronelle Jones of True Vine Community Church of God in Christ opened the session, followed by a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the “Black national anthem,” by Sister Gabrielle Jones, Ronelle Jones’ daughter.

Sen. T’wina Nobles, D-Fircrest, the prime sponsor of Senate Resolution 8861, began by reflecting on what King’s legacy asks of us today.

“Dr. King understood that in order to achieve our goals, it would require hard work,” she said. “It would need to start with clarity. It would require perseverance and would also demand that we put in the work.”

Sen. Rebecca Saldaña, D-Seattle, noted the ongoing impacts of King’s memory in the 37th Legislative District, which “continues to be the historic and current home for Black people of Washington state.”

“I just want to acknowledge that the work continues, and that I take example and heart in a few organizations that continue to live out [King’s] legacy in my district that the people of Washington have invested in,” Saldaña said.

She mentioned the Black Home Initiative, which targets racial inequalities in housing by trying to increase Black homeownership, as one of the organizations in her district that carries on King’s advocacy.

Sen. Emily Alvarado, D-Seattle, highlighted King’s efforts to address housing discrimination and the necessity of continuing this mission.

“Even though discrimination is technically prohibited in housing, we know that the impact still persists today,” she said. “I hope that we can double down and persevere to fulfill Dr. King’s vision of safe, decent housing for all people, and his broader vision of equality and justice for all.”

The House also adopted a resolution in recognition of King during a floor session on Jan. 19.

Nobles emphasized the need for the current generation to continue King’s work in spite of the difficulties.

“Dr. King’s legacy reminded us that justice will move forward because people like us … put in the work day to day, even when our work is uncomfortable, even when our work is difficult and, in fact, even when progress seems to move very slowly,” Nobles said. “But it will be in those moments … that we have to remember that this responsibility belongs to every generation, and today it belongs to us.”

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