As we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day today, we do so with heavy hearts, yet also with hope.

The racism, strife, violence, and inequity that have marked our nation over the past year sadly show that we still are a nation divided. We have not yet achieved the promise of unity and peace envisioned by Rev. King and longed for by so many throughout our nation’s history.

More than 2,500 bills can be introduced in a legislative session. The staff of the Maryland Catholic Conference reviews and tracks them, and provides testimony on proposed legislation primarily related to respect for life, education, and social and economic justice. A list of bills on which the Conference has testified, with links to the testimony, are posted online throughout the session at www.mdcatholic.org/2021testimony. 

Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori, chairman of the Maryland Catholic Conference Board of Governors, spoke tonight on the death of former State Senate President Thomas V. Michael Miller:

“It is with great sadness that we learned the news of President Miller’s passing tonight. He was stalwart in living his life fully to the very end, and we pray that God that will bring him peace and bring comfort to his family.

“He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of leadership, political acumen, and commitment to legislating through bipartisan cooperation in order to achieve the common good for the people of Maryland. 

“As a Catholic community, we are deeply grateful for all he did for the Church and to champion the cause of educational options for all, especially low-income families in Baltimore City and throughout the state. He continued to love his family and serve his constituents to his very last days. May his example of courage and stamina be an inspiration to all of us for many years to come.”