WASHINGTON, D.C. – Wednesday marks the 50^th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) releases the following statement:

“Fifty years ago, our nation suffered a devastating loss when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot and killed in Memphis, Tennessee. His life was cut tragically short, but half a century later his legacy and his nonviolent fight for equality and racial justice lives on.”

“Today’s anniversary is an opportunity to honor and celebrate Dr. King and to recognize the unfinished work that lies ahead to bring Dr. King’s dream to life. Injustice, racial inequality, and discrimination are still defining problems across America. Dr. King once spoke of the fierce urgency of now, saying, ‘there is such a thing as being too late.’ Today, as families across the country struggle under the weight of poverty and economic injustice, we have a responsibility to make real the American dream for all of our people.”

“We owe a debt to Dr. King and to the many foot soldiers who fought for civil rights and voting rights alongside him. As we remember his legacy and honor his sacrifice, we must do all we can to pay it forward.”