Agenda Item - 2024-01-02 - Number 05.1 - Proclamation - Martin Luther King Jr. Day 5.1
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Proclamation
:pREG° -‘ Martin Luther King Jr. Day
WHEREAS,in contemplation of the City of Lake Oswego's community tapestry,we find ourselves reflecting
upon the enduring legacy of the distinguished Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was a great luminary who
advocated for economic and social justice, international harmony, and the intrinsic right to effect change
through unified voices; and
WHEREAS, we as a community, hold fast to the profound teachings of Dr. King, who asserted that "the
ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in the moments of convenience and comfort but where
he stands at times of challenge and controversy," thereby inspiring us to confront adversities with
fortitude and unwavering conviction; and
WHEREAS, we acknowledge the paramount importance of amplifying the voices of our burgeoning
student leaders, the trailblazers of our next generation, unmoved by fear or personal gain, as they
endlessly advocate for the foundational rights of all individuals; and
WHEREAS, Dr. King's eloquent words and life narrative underscored the division between strategic
rhetoric and tangible consequences, imparting upon us the importance of cultivating moral judgment,
prioritizing justice and the basic dignities essential to humanity over societal pressures and personal ease;
and
WHEREAS, we pay homage to Dr. King's ultimate sacrifice in the relentless pursuit of peace and justice,
conscious of the strides made across the decades that have conferred rights upon individuals, affording
them a voice and the opportunity to stand as catalysts for change within their communities; and
WHEREAS,we are invited to persevere in the ongoing endeavor to uplift the oppressed from the shackles
of poverty, to seek tranquility in regions and communities burdened by violence and to dismantle the
shackles of racism, classism, sexism and gender-based discrimination, which hinder individuals from
realizing their constitutionally guaranteed full and free potential; and
WHEREAS,amidst the disheartening overload of daily news portraying unthinkable violence and injustices
suffered by our neighbors, we gather wisdom from the conviction that present courage and action and
shall pave the way for a brighter tomorrow. A sentiment resonating with Dr. King's hope mirrored in the
resolute gaze of cogitators against the status quo and champions for the voiceless;
NOW,THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,that we, the esteemed Lake Oswego City Council, do hereby proclaim
the 15th day of January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We call on the people of Lake Oswego to stand in
unison with their fellow residents across the United States, observing this day through civic, communal
and service programs in honor to the indelible life and lasting legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Joseph M. Buck, Mayor
January 2, 2024