King Funeral Set for Tomorrow

------

Our nation has experienced a great loss with the passing of Coretta Scott King. While we mourn her passing, we should, in this moment, also be thankful and celebrate her life.  After the tragic loss of her husband, Mrs. King remained a champion of social and economic justice. She demonstrated everyday, even in those most difficult times, that life should be about doing whatever possible to leave the world better than we found it.  Coretta Scott King provides a lesson in strength and service.

As we mourn Mrs. King’s passing during Black History Month, we should also recognize and remember courageous Arkansans who are no longer with us – but who made a difference.  Daisy Bates forced Arkansas to address the injustice of segregated education when she took decisive action against it. Driving litigation that forced the Little Rock School Board to integrate, and later protecting and advising Central High School’s first nine African American students, Mrs. Bates gave tirelessly to move Arkansas and, certainly the entire nation, closer to the promise of equality. Her sacrifices, as well as those of every courageous member of the Little Rock Nine who challenged the system, oblige us to pursue the cause of the best possible education for every Arkansas child.

We should remember Mrs. King and each of these Arkansans not only during the month of February, but every day.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the King family.