New York, NY - Congressman Charles Rangel released the following statement to remember the 44th Anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4, 1968:

"Today, 44 years ago, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on the balcony of his hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. As our nation solemnly commemorates the tragic assassination of a great man, we cannot forget the true meaning of his legacy. It is in his memory that we have an obligation to continue to march onwards for the social and economic equality for persons of all races, genders, and religions in America today.

When I marched 54 miles from Selma to Montgomery with Dr. King in 1965, there were times at which I questioned what we were trying to accomplish. There were times at which I almost lost hope. But the passion and the leadership of the man who led us onwards made us a force to be reckoned with. Through the unyielding strength of his character and the indomitable nature of his spirit, we were able to make great strides forward in passing the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act.

We have come a long way since Dr. King's 54-mile march. We have made great strides forward in civil and political rights for people of all colors and creeds. Still, the march is not complete. We cannot restore prosperity to our country by scapegoating the poor, by racial profiling, by attacking labors' right to collective bargaining, or by undermining the rights of women, immigrants, and Muslim Americans. Instead, we must come together as a nation to realize Dr. King's dream to end prejudice and poverty in our country. We must bridge the barriers that still exist in our society and continue the struggle to promote social equality for all. Together, we can overcome the challenges in making the American Dream a reality."