NEW DELHI, INDIA, February 11,2009: The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a resolution recognising the 50th anniversary of the visit of legendary civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. to India and the positive influence of Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings on his work.
Jim McDermott, co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, said: “We need Gandhi and King more than ever. This resolution and our upcoming journey to India will honor their contributions to mankind and rekindle their spirit to seek peace by living in peace.”
This week Dr. King’s son, Martin Luther King III, will commemorate his parents’ historic journey to India by visiting the country, walking down nostalgia lane with the successors of the people they met. The trip is organized by the U.S. Department of State.
He will be accompanied by members of U.S. Congress, including John Lewis, the last surviving speaker from the 1963 March on Washington; Clayborne Carson, editor of King’s papers; and jazz musician Herbie Hancock.