OLYMPIA – Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs released the following statement in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
“Today we commemorate and honor the life, service, and dedication of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His commitment to justice and non-violence serves as a continual beacon and inspiration for millions of people nationwide. Dr. King helped lay the groundwork for a more equitable and inclusive country. As a person of color, I, too, have experienced racism. When I was a child, my family’s house was tagged, we were harassed, and I was bullied. Oftentimes I wasn’t given a chance to prove my worth — all because I ‘looked different.’ If not for Dr. King’s dream, I would not have been afforded the opportunity and privilege to serve as your secretary of state. Honoring his legacy, I will continue to work toward ensuring the preservation of the right to vote, providing equitable access and transparency of government records, and protecting the dignity and privacy of people who have been affected by crime.”