Brooklyn, NY, January 31, 2006--Congressman Ed Towns (D-NY 10) issued the following statement today regarding the news of the passing of civil rights leader, Coretta Scott King.

“On behalf of the residents of the 10th Congressional District of New York, as well as the Towns Family, I want to extend sincere condolences to the family of Coretta Scott King.

As we mourn the death of Mrs. King, we also celebrate her life and legacy.

Coretta Scott King, wife of civil rights leader, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was most known as the great woman behind the man.  However, she was an activist in her own right.  She led rallies for civil rights before meeting Dr. King and when Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis, four days later Mrs. King led a march of 50,000 people through the city of Memphis.

A wife and mother of four children, she balanced motherhood and the Civil Rights Movement.  Although her family was often threatened with death, Mrs. King was courageous and her commitment to human rights and equality was unwavering.  After Dr. King’s death, she founded the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta and led the fight for Dr. King’s birthday to become a national holiday.

Mrs. King, living an exemplary life and one of great sacrifice, was the embodiment of dignity and grace and although her shoes are difficult to fill, they must be filled.”

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