Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led an inspiring life, encouraging the best in all of us and working for a more just America - an America where as Dr. King said, "people are not judged on the color of their skin but by the content of their character." He was a man of courage and a man of service who once said "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?" Today, I ask all Iowans to answer this question.
More than 40 years after his death, we still celebrate his life and his contributions on the third Monday in January with a holiday in his honor. In fact, 2011 marks the 25th Anniversary of Martin Luther King Day. In 1983 legislation was signed establishing this day as a federal holiday, and it was first celebrated in 1986. The holiday was given new meaning when, in 1994, Congress designated it as a national day of service.
To honor the contributions of Dr. King and further his dream of a nation where we help one another, I encourage Iowans to treat Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 17, as "a day on, not a day off." That is, if you have the day off from work, or even just an hour to spare, consider volunteering or giving back in some way in our community. I applaud the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service for coordinating service projects all over Iowa on January 17th.
There are so many issues facing our state and nation and so many people in need. And there are countless ways to get involved - from food and clothing drives to building homes for the needy, mentoring a child or even just helping the disabled or the elderly with their taxes. I am proud that Iowans are well-known for our community involvement. In fact, our state ranks second in the nation for volunteering according to the Corporation for National and Community Service's latest Volunteering in America Report.
To continue Dr. King's legacy, I encourage all Iowans to get involved. If you are looking for ways to contribute, just visit www.volunteeriowa.org to find an opportunity that you will enjoy and that will make a difference in our community. For more information, you can also contact the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service at daysofservice@iowa.gov or (800) 308-5987.
I hope you all have a wonderful Martin Luther King Day.
More than 40 years after his death, we still celebrate his life and his contributions on the third Monday in January with a holiday in his honor. In fact, 2011 marks the 25th Anniversary of Martin Luther King Day. In 1983 legislation was signed establishing this day as a federal holiday, and it was first celebrated in 1986. The holiday was given new meaning when, in 1994, Congress designated it as a national day of service.
To honor the contributions of Dr. King and further his dream of a nation where we help one another, I encourage Iowans to treat Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 17, as "a day on, not a day off." That is, if you have the day off from work, or even just an hour to spare, consider volunteering or giving back in some way in our community. I applaud the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service for coordinating service projects all over Iowa on January 17th.
There are so many issues facing our state and nation and so many people in need. And there are countless ways to get involved - from food and clothing drives to building homes for the needy, mentoring a child or even just helping the disabled or the elderly with their taxes. I am proud that Iowans are well-known for our community involvement. In fact, our state ranks second in the nation for volunteering according to the Corporation for National and Community Service's latest Volunteering in America Report.
To continue Dr. King's legacy, I encourage all Iowans to get involved. If you are looking for ways to contribute, just visit www.volunteeriowa.org to find an opportunity that you will enjoy and that will make a difference in our community. For more information, you can also contact the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service at daysofservice@iowa.gov or (800) 308-5987.
I hope you all have a wonderful Martin Luther King Day.
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