Back in 1948, the Drexel Hill Baptist Church in my District was known as the Garrettford Baptist Church. Every Sunday evening, a white couple from the congregation would drive out to the Crozier Theological Seminar to pick up a young theologian they called "Marty" who helped them minister to sailors from the Philadelphia Naval Ship Yard who were transitioning back to civilian life. The world would come to know that young seminarian as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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One evening, members of the church invited "Marty" out to dinner and took him to the Llanerch Diner in Upper Darby. Coming from the South, the young Dr. King was apprehensive about entering a white establishment, but he was reassured by his friends and it was here that he had his first meal in an integrated restaurant.

This little story, and the fact that today seems to be a part of a different world, illustrates one of our country's greatest characteristics: our courage to face the truth when we have failed to live up to our ideals, and our ability to grow and change for the better. Throughout our history, we have been brave enough to look in the mirror and say, "this is not who we are -- we are better than this." Dr. Martin Luther King held up a mirror to this nation, embodied our highest ideals, showed us how to be better. We are forever grateful for his courage -- and the courage of those who stood with him. Thank you, Dr. King, for showing our nation what it can be, what it should be, and what it must be.

Warmly,

Joe Sestak