01.31.06

Statement of Sen. Maria Cantwell on the Death of Coretta Scott King

Ms. CANTWELL: Mr. President, I was saddened today to learn of the death of Coretta Scott King. Her work and life gave one man great strength and inspired a nation. In a lifetime, suffering and pain can envelop communities and span generations; it can also touch us intimately and immediately. When her husband was assassinated in April of 1968, Mrs. King suffered a world of loss in one moment. She persevered with passion and devotion, honoring the movement her husband made so strong. She taught the world that carrying on a great legacy requires more than simply remembering the words of the dead, but requires imbuing those words with action, life, leadership, and vision. Mrs. King has left our nation a vital legacy of her own.