Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio issued the following statement in advance of Monday’s national holiday commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:  

“This weekend, I join all Americans in honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man whose accomplishments continue to shape our society and drive the progress of our nation. While there is still work to be done to ensure that all Americans have access to the tools necessary for success, Dr. King would doubtlessly be proud of the breadth of opportunities available today to men and women of all different backgrounds, starting at the top with our President.  

“On Monday, we will not only reflect on the life of Dr. King, but will also gather in unity to mark the peaceful beginning of a new presidential term. This is a tradition special to our country, because it is a day for unity rather than divisions. If Dr. King were able to gather on the National Mall alongside Americans of all different backgrounds as we celebrate the promise that our nation holds, he would see his legacy play out before his eyes.  

“Still, this day is much more than this.  We must continue promoting the dignity of all people in our international human rights agenda. There is much work to be done overseas in nations such as Cuba, China, Syria and Venezuela, where tyrants and repressive governments commit rampant human rights abuses on their own people. In our own country, we must continue working to abolish modern day slavery that exists in the form of human trafficking. I promise to press on in the months and years ahead to seek solutions to these problems.  

“I also believe that helping Americans access the opportunities our free enterprise system has to offer is one of the greatest ways to help more Americans achieve Dr. King’s dream. In the year ahead, I will continue working in the Senate to promote policies that lead to more middle class opportunities, so that all Americans can provide a brighter future for their families.”