Posted on Feb 3, 2006

Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials Pay Tribute to Mrs. Coretta Scott King First Lady of the Civil Rights Movement We pause at this time to pay tribute to Mrs. Coretta Scott King, a great lady who dedicated her life to making our world a better place in which to live. Throughout her life Mrs. King reigned as a lady of dignity. With the regal bearing of a queen, she weathered the many storms of turbulent national and international movements for civil and human rights. When we think of Mrs. King – her life and work -- she brings to mind the Book of Esther of the Old Testament. Mordecai said these poignant words to Esther in Chapter 4 Verse 14. “For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther was the wife of a King. So was Coretta. Like Esther, Mrs. Coretta Scott King refused to keep silent. She raised her voice in song and in speech in a strong and resounding cry for freedom! She was our hero in just such a time as this! During the dark days of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Mrs. King was a rock of strength and fortitude, who stood beside her husband and gave him the support he needed to continue the struggle and inspired him to be the leader that he was. Mrs. King knew God personally. He guided her path as she gave wise and thoughtful counsel to her husband as they struggled together on many campaigns on the road to freedom, justice and equality. Mrs. King showed us how to balance being a wife, mother, and freedom fighter with elegance and grace. As the widow of Dr. King, she did not give in to her grief, but immediately picked up the torch to carry on his great work. Because of her sacrifice, she carved a place for herself in world history. A lifelong activist and founder of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change, Mrs. King’s contributions were tremendous. She worked hand-in-hand with GABEO as we struggled to change the Georgia state flag, end apartheid in South Africa, and to extend the Voting Rights Act of1965. Mrs. King knew the urgency of keeping us actively involved in the American body politic and was committed to making sure we never again lose the right to vote. Among our many memories of Mrs. King was her participation with the Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Commission and her appearance at each program in her husband’s honor. Mrs. King worked tirelessly to establish a state and national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation creating a National Holiday honoring Dr. King by federal statutory law. Three years later on January 18, 1986, President Reagan signed the proclamation declaring the third Monday in January of each year a national holiday in honor of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On this historic day the expression on Mrs. King’s face is one we will always remember. For just a moment there was a look on her face that was a beautiful mixture of happiness, humility, joy and relief that a portion of her work was finally complete. Although Dr. King Day is a national holiday, Mrs. King always made it clear that it is “A Day On, Not a Day Off.” It is a day to honor Dr. King in the way he would have appreciated most – giving service to others, especially to those less fortunate. Mrs. Coretta Scott King, like her husband, demonstrated the meaning of servant/leadership, always striving and seeking to uplift the quality of life for all people in our nation and the world. When Mrs. King transitioned into her new life on January 31, 2006, many would say she lost her battle with her illness. But we say she won her final battle. She achieved yet another victory which is eternal life with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She is now finally reunited with her husband. We can only imagine how much she has to tell him about her life, their children, and her work in making his dream an enduring vision -- a reality for all people. When Mrs. King closed her eyes for the last time and slipped peacefully into the bosom of Jesus she was confident that she had epitomized the words of Paul from the New Testament Book of 2 Timothy Chapter 4 Verse 7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” In the coming days, months and years there will be many beautiful tributes to a great lady, but none as meaningful as the one from her God. Well Done, Well Done My Good and Faithful Servant! To the King children, Yolanda, Martin III, Dexter, and Bernice, and the rest of the Scott and King families we extend to you our heartfelt condolences. The passing of your mother brings sorrow because we will miss her strong, loving, and kind presence. But joy because we have had the opportunity to know and work with her, and she touched all our lives in a special way. Psalms 116:15 assures us, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” May the loving Holy Spirit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continue to strengthen and sustain you and your family. God bless you and give you peace. Rep. Tyrone Brooks, President Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials www.gabeo.org Note: GABEO is sponsoring legislation to create a Civil Rights Gallery in the Rotunda of our Capitol which will add a portrait of Coretta Scott King next to her husband. We also support and co-sponsor legislation to proclaim April 27th (her birthday) Coretta Scott King Day in Georgia.