January 31, 2006—Coretta Scott King, civil rights activist and widow of Martin Luther King Jr., passed away today at the age of 78.   Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02) made the following statement in honor of her life:
 
“Coretta Scott King was a valiant solider in the fight to protect human civil liberties and equality.  As the wife and partner of Martin Luther King, Jr. she waged bravely alongside him during the American civil liberties movement.  Even after the tragic assassination of her husband, she remained devoted to preserving his efforts and keeping equality at the forefront of America’s agenda.  Her life was a story of hope and persistence.  In hindsight, her pursuit to keep her husband’s dream alive –whether by fate or by chance - affected more change globally than she ever imagined she could.”

Trent Franks is the Congressman from the 2nd Congressional District of Arizona.  He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Judiciary Committee and Vice Chairman of the Constitution Subcommittee.