Title
AN ORDINANCE relating to the establishment of an annual gathering celebrating the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; and adding a new chapter to K.C.C. Title 2.
Body
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. On February 24, 1986, the council adopted Motion 6461 recognizing the great contributions and many achievements in public service of Nobel Peace Prize laureate the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., including his persistent and unfailing efforts leading to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Motion 6461 changed the namesake of King County from William Rufus DeVane King to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
2. The state Legislature passed Chapter 90, Laws of Washington 2005 (Engrossed Senate Bill 5332, amending RCW 36.04.170) to rename King County in honor of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Governor Christine Gregoire signed this legislation into law in a ceremony held in the King County Courthouse in Seattle on April 19, 2005. The law took effect July 24, 2005.
3. Since the adoption of Motion 6461 in 1986, the county has celebrated the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on an annual basis and since 2004 the celebration has traditionally taken place at large venues (such as Paramount Theater and Benaroya Hall) in downtown Seattle, usually on the Thursday before the third Monday of the month of January. The celebration has traditionally been open to all county employees and the public.
4. Each year the celebration gathering has traditionally been planned using a different theme to honor Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In 2005, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s message of working towards equity and justice was highlighted through the theme of "The Struggle Continues". More recently in 2015, the celebration event focused on the fiftieth anniversary of the passage of the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act and was attended by over 400 people.
5. The annual gathering program trad...

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