HR12 Summary

• Alabama House of Representatives commemorates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dedication to securing liberty and justice for all citizens.

• Acknowledges Dr. King's leadership of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s-1960s, his education from Morehouse College and Boston University, his pastoral roles, and his travel of over 6,000,000 miles while speaking over 2,500 times between 1957-1968.

• Recognizes Dr. King's commitment to economic justice and the Poor People's Campaign, which organized 2,000 poor people to demand jobs, unemployment insurance, fair minimum wage, and education, resulting in free surplus food distribution to 200 counties in 1968.

• Documents current racial wealth disparities including 19.5 percent of Black Americans living in poverty compared to 11.4 percent national average, median household income of $45,870 for Black people versus $67,870 for all races, and median net worth of $20,730 for Black households versus $181,440 for non-Hispanic White households.

• Resolves that the State of Alabama will continue to commemorate Dr. King's legacy, with emphasis on addressing unfinished economic justice work and the persistent wealth gap across racial groups.