U.S. Representative Kathy Castor spoke yesterday at the Annual Tampa Organization of Black Affairs' Leadership Breakfast. She later marched in the Dr. Martin Luther King Drum Major for Justice Parade in St. Petersburg. Finally, she celebrated Dr. King's life and legacy at the annual Interfaith Memorial Service at Beulah Baptist Church in Tampa.

Castor has co-sponsored Rep. John Lewis (D-GA)'s House Resolution 61, which proposes the observance of the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., and encourages people to observe Dr. King's birthday, his life and legacy.

In Castor's remarks she recalled Dr. King's enduring “I Have a Dream Speech” at the Lincoln Memorial, in which Dr. King described the occasion for his long journey to Washington,

“We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy.”

Castor said to the worshippers at Beulah that she has reflected on the "I Have a Dream Speech" as she worked with Speaker Nancy Pelosi during the first 100 hours of the 110th Congress.

“I am proud that Speaker Pelosi has the Congress engaged in the urgency of now,” Castor said. “So far we have passed bills to increase the minimum wage and make the Medicare prescription drug program work for our seniors not the big drug companies or the HMO's. All of these measures have shown that we are standing up against special interests and for our neighbors, especially our poor and working class ones.”

Castor also said that in the weeks and months that follow Congress will continue to abide by the fierce urgency of Now, voting to cut interest rates on student loans and end subsidies for big oil and invest in renewable energy.

She also reflected on the Iraq war and Dr. King's courageous stand for peace.

“Today we are lamenting America's continued involvement in a far off war, just as Dr. King lamented our involvement in the far off war of his day,” Castor said. “His words about the need to end that war in 1968 are as true today as they were then.”

“We must move past indecision to action. We must find new ways to speak for peace. If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark, and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.