The DorobekInsider Reader: Martin Luther King Jr.

Today, of course, is a federal holiday celebrating the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. — technically his birthday was January 15 and he would be 81 this ye...

Today, of course, is a federal holiday celebrating the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. — technically his birthday was January 15 and he would be 81 this year.

As President Obama noted in this year’s White House presidential proclamation for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, this is good time to think about service to others — and equality for all people.

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., challenged our Nation to recognize that our individual liberty relies upon our common equality. In communities marred by division and injustice, the movement he built from the ground up forced open doors to negotiation. The strength of his leadership was matched only by the power of his words, which still call on us to perfect those sacred ideals enshrined in our founding documents.

Federal News Radio senior correspondent Mike Causey, in his Federal Report today, noted that it is a good time to thank people who do serve.

Back when Congress authorized the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, most federal workers got the day off. Just like other federal holidays.

Some, maybe many, private sector firms give their employees some (but usually not all) federal holidays off…

But since 9/11, everything has changed. More feds work on holidays – people in VA and PHS hospitals, law enforcement officers, people patrolling the borders and air traffic controllers. IRS types, Agriculture and Interior Department workers. And the gang at the CIA, FBI, DEA and DIA.

Employees of the State Department, AID and Defense are also busy today with Haitian relief. USGS is keeping a keen eye on the aftershocks. Also on duty are Homeland Security, TSA and lots, lots more.

So we say it every time and we mean it. Thanks for being there and for doing what you do.

Read Causey’s full column.

Some resources around the MLK Jr. holiday…

Of course, the remarkable “I have a dream” speech, delivered on August 28, 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. If you haven’t listed to this speech in some time, it is simply remarkable.

The other site worth visiting is mlkday.gov, which pulls together Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service projects across our country.

GovLoop is asking what you are doing for others

MLK Jr Memorial… Here in Washington, check out the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial plans, which will be constructed across from the Jefferson Memorial.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Center has all sorts of information about the man and his message.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Center has all sorts of information about the man and his message.

The Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute at Stanford University also has all sorts of resources, including speeches. You can also find King quotes.

The National Park Service has information on the historic site in Georgia, including King’s birth home just outside of Atlanta.

And the FBI has posted King information that has been requested under the Freedom of Information Act.

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