Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 43 and yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 43 promotes the Martin Luther King holiday as a day of national service and recognizes the efforts of the countless Americans who will volunteer their services on behalf of many worthy causes. I am proud to have introduced this resolution with my fellow co-Chairs of the National Service Caucus, Representatives DORIS MATSUI and DAVID PRICE.
In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed into law the King Holiday and Service Act to officially establish Martin Luther King Day as a day of national service in recognition of Dr. King's selfless and courageous service to his fellow citizens. Since this time, millions of Americans have recognized this holiday as ``a day on,'' not ``a day off,'' by volunteering in soup kitchens, organizing charity drives, mentoring children or aiding in urban revitalization efforts.
This year, the Corporation for National & Community Service, America's Promise Alliance and AmeriCorps NCCC are hosting a food drive across Capitol Hill to restock the shelves at the Capital Area Food Bank. Washington, D.C. schools will be closed for a 5-day weekend with the Martin Luther King holiday and the Presidential inauguration this coming week, leaving over 50,000 students without nutritious meals they would have otherwise received through the school lunch and breakfast programs.
Non-perishable canned food items can be delivered through this Thursday, January 15, to either my office or the offices of Representatives DORIS MATSUI, DAVID PRICE and MIKE HONDA. On Thursday, AmeriCorps NCCC students will pick up the canned food items and ensure their delivery to the Capital Area Food Bank.
Finally, there are numerous opportunities for individuals to serve their communities on Martin Luther King Day. I urge my fellow Members of Congress and constituents to take time out of their daily lives and give back to their communities. A list of volunteer opportunities is an available online at mlkday.gov.
I cannot think of a more appropriate way to honor the heroic life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King than by serving one's community, and encourage all Americans to do so. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
