President Ronald Reagan signed legislation in 1983 designating today as a federal holiday to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. and his accomplishments.

Dr. King’s nonviolent activism during the civil rights movement changed things for so many. He believed “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.

Today offers an opportunity to reflect on the past, think about the present, plan for the future, and remember what is truly important.

We are all in the same boat now.

More recently, the 1994 King Holiday and Service Act passed to encourage Americans to transform the King Holiday into a day of citizen action volunteer service.

This quote sums up Dr. King’s attitude on service

Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.

As we reflect on Dr. King’s words, I encourage all of us to find a project that forwards King’s vision and participate.  Let today be the start of a year in which we make a positive and peaceful impact in our community and the world.

Let’s make this boat we’re in a better place.