The city of Greeley recently decided to make a change to the list of holidays it observes by including Martin Luther King Day.
Despite Martin Luther King Day being a federally recognized holiday, it doesn’t mean everyone gets the day off.
Unlike schools, banks and post offices, city offices and services are not required to close on a Federal Holiday.
Federal holidays are days that have been recognized by the U.S. government with all government offices, banks, post offices and schools closed. Federal employees are paid to have the day off.
Federal Holidays include New Year’s Day, Labor Day and Christmas Day.
A National Holiday is where every person would be off from work. Currently, there are no national holidays in the U.S.
“The addition of this holiday to the city’s calendar is important to furthering the city’s commitment to embracing diversity and creating moments that invite inclusion,” Roy Otto, city manager said. “The city has always co-sponsored the annual MLK Day celebration in Greeley, and officially adding Martin Luther King, Jr. as a holiday is a natural extension of our continued support of diversity, equity and inclusion.”
City administration offices will be closed and employees granted a day off just as they have for Christmas and New Year, Otto said. Adding MLK Day as a holiday will also allow more city staff to participate in celebration events.
Greeley-Evans Transit and Greeley Recreation facilities will continue to operate on regular schedules on the holiday.
The city currently observes 11 holidays each year, including President’s Day, Veteran’s Day and now, Martin Luther King Day.
“Martin Luther King was one of the most influential Americans that’s ever lived, so he certainly should be celebrated,” Greeley city councilman Tommy Butler said. “This is certainly a great place to start, and we always need to be mindful of diversity and inclusion in every aspect in what the city does. So having a day where we talk about diversity and inclusion specifically is a great thing for our city.”
For more information on holiday closures, go to www.greeleygov.com.
On Nov. 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed the bill designating the third Monday of January as a federal holiday celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.
Despite Reagan signing the bill, not every state in the U.S. initially observed the holiday.
According to History.com, it wasn’t until 2000 that every state across the country observed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. At one point, Arizona rescinded the holiday, leading to boycotts and a voter registration push that helped “propel a final referendum toward success in 1992.”
King was born in 1929 in Atlanta, GA. The son of a Baptist minister, King earned a doctorate degree in theology and in 1955 organized the first major protest in the civil rights movement.
A follower of Mohandas Gandhi, King led peaceful protests and advocated for nonviolent civil disobedience to racial segregation.
King, Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963 at the March on Washington where he spoke about the “necessity for change and the potential for hope in American society,” according to The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute.
On April 4, 1968, King was fatally shot at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennesse, by James Earl Ray, a fugitive from the Missouri State Penitentiary. Ray was apprehended on June 8, 1968 at the Heathrow Airport in London and sentenced to 99 years in the Tennessee State Penitentiary. Ray died in prison in 1998.
“I think it is an absolute benefit that the city recognizes this day. Dr. King would preach nonviolent activism, and I think we all need to hear that now more than ever,” Greeley mayor John Gates said. “Monday will be a day for everyone to support the civil rights movement, and I think it shows our community that we are onboard in supporting these events.”
For more information on Martin Luther King, Jr. check out this YouTube documentary by the Associated Press at https://bit.ly/2LUmHrd.
The Link LonkJanuary 17, 2021 at 08:01AM
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Greeley declares Martin Luther King Day a city holiday for employees - Greeley Tribune
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