Honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by celebrating diversity, promoting tolerance, and condemning hate.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 1004
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-15: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-31T09:05:30Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 1004) aims to honor the legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on the 97th anniversary of his birth (January 19, 2026), by emphasizing themes of diversity, tolerance, and opposition to hate. It serves as a symbolic statement from the U.S. House of Representatives to celebrate King's teachings on equality and civil rights while condemning discrimination and violence.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes the following main elements in its "Resolved" section:
- Celebrates King's birthday as a reminder that hate and discrimination based on differences have no place in the United States.
- Affirms King's quote: "Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds."
- Honors King's life, works, and heroism in advocating for civil rights, particularly for Black Americans and voting rights.
- Condemns harassment, discrimination, or prejudice against minority ethnic groups, including Black, Indigenous, Jewish, Asian-American and Pacific Islander, Muslim, Hispanic, and Latino communities.
- Condemns similar actions based on gender, including against transgender and LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Denounces the violence that led to King's assassination.
- Calls on people in the U.S. and worldwide to uphold King's values of justice, equality, peace, advocacy, and tolerance.
The "Whereas" clauses provide context, highlighting King's teachings on diversity, the importance of voting rights, tolerance for differences (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, culture, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability), and civil discourse, including a reference to his "Letter from a Birmingham Jail."
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, not a law or bill that amends statutes. It introduces no changes to existing legal frameworks, such as civil rights laws or anti-discrimination statutes. Instead, it expresses the House's sentiments and serves as a formal acknowledgment without enforceable requirements.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Minimal direct impact, as it is symbolic; however, it may encourage federal agencies involved in civil rights enforcement (e.g., Department of Justice) to align public messaging with themes of tolerance.
- On Citizens: Promotes national reflection on diversity and anti-hate efforts, potentially fostering greater public awareness and community initiatives around King's legacy. It could influence educational programs or public events on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- On International Relations: Indirectly supports U.S. soft power by projecting values of equality and tolerance globally, but it has no binding effect on foreign policy or diplomacy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Minority and Marginalized Communities: Groups explicitly mentioned (e.g., Black, Indigenous, Jewish, Asian-American and Pacific Islander, Muslim, Hispanic/Latino, transgender, and LGBTQ+ individuals) benefit from the condemnation of discrimination, reinforcing their inclusion in American society.
- General Public and Civil Rights Advocates: All U.S. citizens are encouraged to adopt King's values, with broader implications for educators, activists, and organizations promoting tolerance.
- Congress and Political Figures: Bipartisan cosponsors (from both parties) demonstrate cross-aisle unity, affecting House proceedings and public perception of legislative priorities.
- Global Audience: The call to action extends worldwide, potentially influencing international human rights discussions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: No direct legal effects, but it aligns with existing protections under laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin) and reinforces the First Amendment's role in promoting free speech and civil discourse without endorsing censorship.
- Constitutional: Echoes the Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection clause by emphasizing inclusivity and the rejection of prejudice, portraying the U.S. as a nation where all residents belong regardless of background.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan support (evident from diverse cosponsors), which could signal congressional commitment to social unity amid polarization. As a resolution referred to the House Judiciary Committee, it may prompt discussions on related issues like hate crimes or voting rights, though it lacks binding force.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]
Cosponsors (56)
Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Conaway, Herbert C. [D-NJ-3], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5], Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10] and 6 more
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-15: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-01-15: Submitted in House
- 2026-01-15: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by celebrating diversity, promoting tolerance, and condemning hate. — issued 2026-01-15 — PDF (3 pages)