Washington House adopts resolution honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; members deliver tributes
January 19, 2026 | Legislative Sessions, Washington
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The Washington State House of Representatives unanimously adopted House Resolution 4672 honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., during a ceremonial session that included music, prayer and member tributes.
The resolution was read in full by the clerk and taken up for adoption after Representative Penner (31st District) moved its passage. Penner urged "unanimous adoption of this resolution" and reflected on the civil rights movement, saying, "I didn't walk the bridge at Selma" while urging members to remember both King's "dream" and the "nightmare" that preceded it.
The measure's preamble, read aloud by the clerk, recounts King's birth on 01/15/1929, his graduation from Morehouse College, receipt of a doctorate from Boston University in 1955, leadership in nonviolent protest and contributions that led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It also notes King's 1964 Nobel Peace Prize and his assassination on 04/04/1968.
Several members offered remarks before the voice vote. Representative Reeves (30th District) framed King's work as a call to moral leadership, warning against "weaponized" fear and asking members to recommit to justice, concluding with the question, "Will you join me?" Representative Lowe (39th District) called for honoring King's legacy through service: "If you want to honor doctor King, don't just post a quote. Go help someone. Go volunteer." Representative Thomas (34th District) spoke of personal experience with harassment and urged continued protest and organization, saying a truck once "drove by ... and shouted ****** out the window at us."
The Speaker put the question and declared, "The ayes have it," announcing the resolution adopted by voice vote. The House then handled routine calendar business by unanimous consent — placing multiple bills on first, second and third reading calendars — and members announced post-session caucuses. With consent, the House adjourned until 09:55 AM on Tuesday, January 29, as stated in the record.
The resolution is ceremonial and the adoption was by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript. The session included a musical performance and invocations from Pastor Pamela Bowman and Senior Pastor Joseph Bowman of Integrity Life Church in Federal Way.
The House will resume work on the next scheduled legislative day listed in the record.
The resolution was read in full by the clerk and taken up for adoption after Representative Penner (31st District) moved its passage. Penner urged "unanimous adoption of this resolution" and reflected on the civil rights movement, saying, "I didn't walk the bridge at Selma" while urging members to remember both King's "dream" and the "nightmare" that preceded it.
The measure's preamble, read aloud by the clerk, recounts King's birth on 01/15/1929, his graduation from Morehouse College, receipt of a doctorate from Boston University in 1955, leadership in nonviolent protest and contributions that led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It also notes King's 1964 Nobel Peace Prize and his assassination on 04/04/1968.
Several members offered remarks before the voice vote. Representative Reeves (30th District) framed King's work as a call to moral leadership, warning against "weaponized" fear and asking members to recommit to justice, concluding with the question, "Will you join me?" Representative Lowe (39th District) called for honoring King's legacy through service: "If you want to honor doctor King, don't just post a quote. Go help someone. Go volunteer." Representative Thomas (34th District) spoke of personal experience with harassment and urged continued protest and organization, saying a truck once "drove by ... and shouted ****** out the window at us."
The Speaker put the question and declared, "The ayes have it," announcing the resolution adopted by voice vote. The House then handled routine calendar business by unanimous consent — placing multiple bills on first, second and third reading calendars — and members announced post-session caucuses. With consent, the House adjourned until 09:55 AM on Tuesday, January 29, as stated in the record.
The resolution is ceremonial and the adoption was by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript. The session included a musical performance and invocations from Pastor Pamela Bowman and Senior Pastor Joseph Bowman of Integrity Life Church in Federal Way.
The House will resume work on the next scheduled legislative day listed in the record.
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