A resolution requesting Senator Lamar Alexander, Senator Bob Corker, and the Tennessee Congressional Delegation to introduce and enact the necessary legislation to rename Interstate 40 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., (1929-1968), a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement, lived his life promoting peace, freedom, equality, and justice for all through non-violent means; and

WHEREAS, in 1964, Dr. King became the youngest person ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize; and

WHEREAS, Dr. King organized and led marches for desegregation, labor rights and the right for African Americans to vote, which efforts were largely successful with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965; and

WHEREAS, Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech during the march on Washington is recognized as one of the finest speeches in the history of American oratory, and served to further propel the success of the Civil Rights Movement; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated in 1968 on the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee, as he was there to support the Black sanitary public works employees; and

WHEREAS, Interstate 40 stretches from Barstow, California to Wilmington, North Carolina for a total of 2,554 miles; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that Interstate 40 be named in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., for his outstanding contributions to the United States of America.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting Senator Lamar Alexander, Senator Bob Corker, and the Tennessee Congressional Delegation to introduce and enact the necessary legislation to rename Interstate 40 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Senator Lamar Alexander, Senator Bob Corker, and to each member of the Tennessee Congressional Delegation.

Section 3. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Jamie Isabel, Edward Whitmore, Vivian Wilhoite, Brenda Gilmore, Billy Walls, Harold White, Walter Hunt, Ludye Wallace