RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - As the nation commemorates the life and contributions of Martin Luther King, Jr., North Carolina is honoring his legacy by declaring Monday, January 19 officially MLK Day in the state.

Gov. Pat McCrory signed the proclamation.

It reads:
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WHEREAS, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. devoted his life to advancing social justice, equality and opportunity; and


WHEREAS, Dr. King challenged all Americans to realize their greatest potential and then use it to create a better society for all; and


WHEREAS, in 1994, the United States Congress designated the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday as a national day of service, and charged the Corporation for National and Community Services with leading this effort; and


WHEREAS, the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. continues to inspire millions of Americans and shape our state and nation; and


WHEREAS, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is a national day of service that offers an opportunity for Americans to give back to their communities, while making an ongoing commitment to service throughout the year; and

WHEREAS, service projects are being organized by a wide range of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. commissions, AmeriCorps programs and nonprofits, with activities that include volunteering to repackage and sort food donations, sorting donated goods for homeless children, volunteering at youth programs that provide wellness and nutrition activities for children, collecting books and school supplies for childcare agencies, and volunteering for programs that promote literacy among children; and

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina encourages citizens to participate in events across North Carolina during the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on January 19, 2015, as well as to create and implement community service projects where need is identified;


NOW, THEREFORE, I, PAT McCRORY, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim January 19, 2015, as “DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-ninth day of October in the year of our Lord two thousand and fourteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth.