Know who could use a little love for Martin Luther King Jr. day? The folks at the Jesse Helms Center. After all, they’re probably stuck at work when most Americans have the day off considering that Mr. Helms led the congressional opposition to the holiday, calling the assassinated civil rights leader a “law breaker who was manipulated by communists.”
I humbly suggest that we all post our favorite thoughts on Dr. King’s legacy by posting them on the Jesse Helms Center’s facebook wall.
Parental error. Neither of us checked the school calendar; it’s a private school, but apparently still linked to the public school schedule. I had assumed somebody would have mentioned it on Friday when I was in the room (it’s pre-K). They send home what seems like several fliers a day, so I thought I’d see one; and since I didn’t see one … and didn’t expend any more effort…
I posted this on the Jesse Helms Center’s facebook page but it looks like they took it down for some reason. I guess that means they are indeed open today! Maybe this would be a good opportunity for people in the Charlotte area to visit the museum and commemorate the late senator’s role in the civil rights movement.
Don’t forget the sitting congress critters who voted against the holiday:
So, let’s take a look at the politicians who are still in office and who voted against honoring Dr. King through a federal holiday.
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). He was a congressman at the time.
Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL). He was a congressman and a Democrat at the time.
Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI)
Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY)
And the following men voted against the holiday on a state level.