Today, we have celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Our country has come a long way since Dr. King’s birth in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15, 1929. But we have more work to do to realize his dream of a better America. I commend all those in Snohomish County who continue to exemplify the ideals of Dr. King, and I commit the government of Snohomish County to the values of justice, equality and opportunity for all.
Inequality and racism remain stubborn foes, even as many continue to move our communities away from the darkest days of our past. As Dr. King said, “The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice.” However, we must not sit back assuming someone else will act for justice. We must follow in Dr. King’s footsteps and work to ensure our world will be more just for our children and grandchildren.
I have been inspired in my public service by Dr. King’s mission, not just in working to bring justice to those who have been denied it, but also in other areas of life. In Dr. King’s acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize, he said, “I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits.” His understanding that we must provide for the body, mind and spirit is a cornerstone of why we should remain optimistic about our power to do good for our community.
I share Dr. King’s dream of a more just world and hope you will join me in working to realize that dream.
Sincerely,
Dave Somers