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Assemblyman Remembers Martin Luther King The following is a statement from Assemblyman Alan Maisel issued in conjunction Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday celebration. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was more than just a voice for tolerance, respect and racial harmony. His was a historic voice of leadership, and the values he preached and dreams he shared inspire us to this day unchanged from the days he challenged a nation to live up to its finest ideals: equality, justice and opportunity for all. On Monday, America celebrates his unforgettable life and honors the work he did to bring our citizenry closer together and ensure that all Americans could fulfill their own dreams. It's been nearly 40 years since Dr. King was senselessly killed, but his words still resonate. And his impact on today's society is unmistakable. Without a doubt, our children have a better understanding of his principles of non-violence and respect for all races, religions and creeds. Dr. King viewed those ideals as necessary conditions to achieving the real goal: equality, and equal opportunity for all, so that all Americans could achieve the American dream. While it's evident that the world has changed, and that the civil rights movement of the 1960s and the decades after brought a new, previously unrealized era of tolerance, growth and opportunity for all, much remains to be done to further equality along the path envisioned by Dr. King. His struggle continues to this day, and it can be seen in the eyes of victims who have been overlooked, in communities and schools that have been underserved, and on the faces of children and families who have been underprivileged and forgotten. It's that battle that I - and the Assembly Majority - try to ultimately win in every way. More funding for our troubled schools. Better and more affordable health care for those who need it most. Justice for crime victims and those treated unfairly by the justice system. Better wages for New York's working families. Anti-discrimination measures to ensure that everyone is treated fairly. Those are the values I fight for, and they are the basic tenets of what Dr. King spoke about all those decades ago. Our state government exists to help better the lives of New Yorkers. And it's important to remember that each piece of legislation that gets passed is an attempt to further that goal. Dr. King was able to beat back the cynicism, quiet the critics, and bring real change to people's lives. Those of us serving in Albany must do the same. After all, our diversity is our greatest strength. Dr. King's teachings are important and relevant to all of us, but as a public leader, they are a constant reminder of what it truly means to help people. And his values help identify areas that government still needs to improve upon to better serve the people. While the effects we are striving for today may not be exactly the same, the ideals he left us are still very much alive.
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