Former U.S. Representative Katie Hall: Enacting Federal Legislation In Honor Of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Written by: Junifer Hall,JD,MPA,MBA- Daughter of U.S. Representative Katie Hall, exclusively for the Gary Crusader Newspaper (January 16, 2015), on the occasion of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday Law Celebration, Monday, January 19th. Available now at newsstands across Northwest Indiana. On Monday, January 19th, the nation will pause to remember the life and collective work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As one of America’s greatest orators and as a champion for civil rights- the enactment of a federal holiday in Dr. King’s name only was an unique challenge and accomplishment undertaken by the newly-elected U.S. Representative Katie Hall of Gary. For more than fifteen (15) years, beginning with Dr. King’s untimely death on April 4, 1968, there had been numerous accolades in various forms lauded on Dr. King’s accomplishments both nationally and internationally. The idea of a federal holiday in honor of this great American surfaced immediately after his assassination with U.S. Representative John Conyers (D-MI), a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. However, due to a lack of support and strong opposition from various members of Congress, the legislation was repeatedly unsuccessful, primarily due to the proposed legislation celebrating Dr. King’s birthday on January 15th, regardless of the day of the week. In November 1982, then Indiana State Senator Katie Hall of Gary was elected to complete the unexpired term of U.S. Representative Adam Benjamin, Jr. in the U.S. Congress. As a newly elected Member of Congress, Former U.S. Representative Hall made the authorship and sponsorship of a bill to honor Dr. King a top priority- a task she had previously discussed with her husband, John shortly after moving to Washington, D.C. to begin her legislative duties at the Capitol Building. He encouraged his wife with a scripture, and I paraphrase- “We can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth us [me]: Philippians 4:13. Deacon-Attorney Hall encouraged Representative Hall by the following sayings- ‘the longest journey ever made began with the first step’ and the ‘tallest building ever built began with a blueprint’. Although Representative Conyers simultaneously introduced another bill to honor Dr. King in 1983- Congresswoman Hall discussed with her family ways in which to make her bill unique and distinguishable from that of Representative Conyers. Congresswoman Hall relying on her past experiences in the Indiana State Legislature and in agreement with her daughters, Jacqueline and Junifer- decided her version of the “King Bill” should be as succinct and concise as possible. Therefore, Congresswoman Hall wrote the following words, “On the third Monday in January, a legal holiday shall be established in the United States of America to honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” on a piece of white paper and dropped it in the box designated for ‘new bills’ in the House of Representatives. The proposed “King Bill” legislation became known as House of Representatives Bill H.R. 3345, with sixty (60) co-sponsors, and was subsequently, re-introduced by Representative Hall on July 29, 1983, as House of Representatives Bill H.R. 3706, to accommodate additional lawmakers. As the proposed legislation to enact a federal holiday to honor Dr. King navigated through the U.S. House of Representatives, Representative Hall had successfully garnered the unwavering support of Mrs. Coretta Scott King, Former Speaker of the House Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neil (D-MA), Former U.S. Representative Jim Wright (D-TX), Stevie Wonder, postal workers, labor unions, and ordinary citizens throughout America. These individuals and organizations were of the opinion, the ‘3rd Monday in January’ would be cost effective in taxpayer savings and convenience- employees would enjoy a three (3) day weekend. In order to ensure passage of House of Representatives Bill H.R. 3706, many organizations, elected officials, business leaders, entertainers, and others would travel to Washington, D.C. in order to lobby for the passage of the “King Bill”. After much debate and hard work, House of Representatives Bill H.R. 3706, was “called to the floor” of the House of Representatives for a vote, with Congresswoman Hall presiding over the legislative proceedings. Prior to the final roll call vote- Representative Hall stated, “Mr. Speaker, the time is before us to show what we believe, that justice and equality must continue to prevail, not only as individuals, but at the greatest Nation in this world.” Representative Hall went on to state, “It is America’s turn to say thank you to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and it is our duty as elected Representatives to nationalize the tribute.” The “King Bill” passed the House with a vote of 338-90. Under the United States Senate leadership of Edward M. “Ted” Kennedy (D-MA), the chief sponsor of House of Representatives Bill H.R. 3706, the “King Bill” passed the United States Senate on October 19, 1983. Despite its success in the United States Senate- Representative Hall would often recount in her lectures on “How The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday Bill Became Law”, the legal challenges filed against the “King Bill” led by Senators Jesse Helms and John East of North Carolina, along with other members of the Senate in the Federal District Court in Washington, D.C. The Senate opposition considered Dr. King a communist and not worthy of a national holiday- they did not want Dr. King elevated to the same national status as George Washington, 1st President of the United States of America. These lectures would often be attended by myself and my sister, Jacqueline. In later years, Representative Hall shared these stories with my niece, Kristina Nicole. True to his word, President Reagan often told Representative Hall, he would sign the “King Bill” upon its passage of both Houses of Congress. Representative Hall would occasionally lobby the President before and after Steel Caucus meetings at The White House. A fond memory of Representative Hall’s visits to The White House would be the serving of fresh lemonade and homemade cookies at the direction of First Lady Nancy Reagan. President Reagan signed House of Representatives Bill H.R. 3706, into federal law on November 2, 1983, at a Rose Garden Ceremony, The White House, Washington, D.C. Mrs. Hall selected the Rose Garden due to its beauty and lavish gardens. U.S. Representative Hall’s mere idea conceived in the late Fall of 1982, is now celebrated annually, since January 1986, by millions of Americans, and in some form, in more than 100 countries around the world. As stated by Katie Hall Educational Foundation Chief Legal Counsel, Attorney John H. Hall, Ed.D.,LL.M., “The passage of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday Law is an example of the advancement of American democracy at its finest hour by a quantum leap.”
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 19:11:15 +0000
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