CHRISTIANSTED — Governor Albert Bryan is calling on all Virgin Islanders to honor the memory of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose birthday was on Friday, January 15 and is a national holiday celebrated this year on Monday, January 18, to invoke the teachings of Dr. King by reflecting on unity.
The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday also is the only national holiday that also is designated as a Day of Service.
In honor of Dr. King, he issued the following statement:
“There is no more appropriate time than now, as our nation stands violently divided and our fellow Americans struggle through the COVID-19 pandemic, to look to the teachings of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his dream of a united and peaceful America,” Governor Bryan said. “Dr. King preached a spiritual and inspiring message of nonviolence and equality, and that certainly is something that our country finds itself needing badly at this time in our history.
“I’m asking all members of our community to do their part to honor this Day of Service and Dr. King’s vision by reflecting on where our country has been going and where we want it to go. Take time to appreciate your fellow Virgin Islanders and the struggles and resilience we have and are experiencing,” the Governor said. “The unity of our country and our community is bigger than any one individual, but if each of us does our part to respect and serve our fellow man, regardless of race, creed or culture, then there is nothing we can’t accomplish in this great nation of ours.”