MA: MLK Day Act (Statute)

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

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Sponsor: shua

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Martin Luther King Jr is an inspirational and transformational figure to this day, who showed us the power of nonviolent action to promote freedom for all and heal our divisions.  I was disappointed to see Feds replace his day with a more generic holiday, but as a region we can continue to recognize this  day.  I propose to celebrate this on his actual birthday rather than creating a 3 day weekend, as I think it helps the recognition of the day's meaning. Through this day people can go out and serve their communities. Hopefully too, on this day people will have opportunities to step outside our normally segregated lives.

[ZuWo]

An idea has just crossed my mind: What about renaming the federal "Civil Rights Day" as "Martin Luther King Day" for regional purposes? The holiday would still remain a federal one and be treated as such according to the text of the "Holidays Act", but the Mideast Government would officially refer to it as "Martin Luther King Day". This way, there is no need to establish an additional holiday. Sure, the feds may not like it and there might be a court case but I think it could work.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

An idea has just crossed my mind: What about renaming the federal "Civil Rights Day" as "Martin Luther King Day" for regional purposes? The holiday would still remain a federal one and be treated as such according to the text of the "Holidays Act", but the Mideast Government would officially refer to it as "Martin Luther King Day". This way, there is no need to establish an additional holiday. Sure, the feds may not like it and there might be a court case but I think it could work.

the problem with that is the Civil Rights Day is in May and has no connection that I'm aware of to MLK.

[ZuWo]

An idea has just crossed my mind: What about renaming the federal "Civil Rights Day" as "Martin Luther King Day" for regional purposes? The holiday would still remain a federal one and be treated as such according to the text of the "Holidays Act", but the Mideast Government would officially refer to it as "Martin Luther King Day". This way, there is no need to establish an additional holiday. Sure, the feds may not like it and there might be a court case but I think it could work.

the problem with that is the Civil Rights Day is in May and has no connection that I'm aware of to MLK.

That's right. There's no way we could change the holiday's date so if we followed through with the plan I have laid out the date would be entirely arbitrary. I don't think that would be a tragedy but I'm not going to insist on that idea if you think that defeats the purpose of a MLK day.

[The Simpsons Cinematic Universe]

Hmm. It does seem redundant to have two holidays dedicated to civil rights. I'd suggest going through with the regional name change, and hopefully, in turn, influencing the federal government to go through with a date change for the holiday.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Actually, I don't see any reason why federal holidays have to be regional holidays also. There are several aspects of the federal holiday calendar that I find odd. (ex, how does Conservation Day incorporate Arbor Day when August isn't typically a good time to plant a tree?)  Maybe we can draw up our own list.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

I don't see any reason why we couldn't have one holiday specifically to honor Dr. King and another to honor all civil rights leaders throughout history.  Therefore, I support this bill as written.

[Njall]

I don't see any reason why we couldn't have one holiday specifically to honor Dr. King and another to honor all civil rights leaders throughout history.  Therefore, I support this bill as written.

I pretty much feel the same way

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Is anyone else interested in having our own set of regional holidays as opposed to the federal ones?   If not, I'll just stick with this bill as it stands.

[Njall]

I don't really see the need to create a separate set of regional holidays.  The bill is good as it stands right now.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

I don't really see the need to create a separate set of regional holidays.  The bill is good as it stands right now.

Agreed.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

I think we're all in agreement, and there's not much actual debate going on, so let's take this to a final vote.  Members will vote AYE, NAY, or ABSTAIN.  This will be a 48-hour vote.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Aye

[Njall]

Aye

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Aye

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Hrn... I suppose the job to sign this into law--once voting closes--may fall to me.

[The Simpsons Cinematic Universe]

Aye

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Voting is now closed.  The AYEs are 4, and the NAYs are 0, with 1 not voting.  The AYEs have it, and the bill has passed.  The bill is now passed onto the Acting Governor for his signature or veto.