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MLK Monument Bill Clears Key Senate Hurdle

March 11th, 2014

A House bill to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., on the grounds of the Georgia Capitol passed another key hurdle Monday. A potential monument to the late civil rights leader received unanimous approval from a state Senate committee.

During a Senate committee hearing, Democratic Representative Calvin Smyre spoke in favor of the bill.

“Dr. King has a monument in Washington. He has a national holiday named after him, and he’s the second Georgian to receive the Nobel peace prize, so he’s been recognized in the world. He’s recognized in America, and now we’re here to see it appropriate for him to be recognized here in Georgia.”

Smyre is optimistic about the bill’s chances…but he knows with just four working days left this legislative session, the clock ticking.

“Time is of essence.”

Committee chairman Republican Senator John Albers also supports the bill.

“Martin Luther King is such a great Georgian, American and really citizen of the world. I think this is a great way to honor him. I’m glad that we worked together to put in some good protective language in and to ensure the state won’t have any financial obligations, and hopefully the King family will work in harmony with us to make this happen.”

Albers says the bill now would require the King estate to sign a waiver of release ensuring the state would own the intellectual property rights to the monument. Albers says the move is needed to protect the state from any potential litigation over the monument.

“It is my hope and prayer that the children of the King family will come together in harmony. I think right now their lack in spirit of cooperation is tarnishing their father’s legacy. I want to hopefully use this moment in time to get them together and focus on his legacy and not necessarily monetizing everything that was part of his life.”

Last week, in a letter to Governor Nathan Deal’s chief of staff, the King estate said it should have input on plans to honor the civil rights icon. Albers says Senate Republican leaders are currently on board with the legislation. Governor Deal has also expressed his general support for a monument to honor King. It’s unclear when the full Senate will vote on the bill.