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Earlier this week, Congressman David Scott issued the following statement from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives upon learning of Mrs. Coretta Scott King's death:

"Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for allowing me the opportunity not only to serve with him on the Voting Rights Act reaffirmation, but also for being able to be part of this extraordinary effort this evening on behalf of Mrs. King.

I am a proud Member of Congress from Atlanta, Georgia, a product of the civil rights movement, and a product of the political movement, which says it all when you step up here and mention the name of Coretta Scott King.

I am very pleased to be able to stand here in the United States Congress and say that I am here because Coretta Scott King touched my life. In 1974, just out of college, the opportunity came for me to step into the political arena in a bid for the State House of Representatives, and at the time to be one of the youngest, but not the youngest, to be elected to that body. It was Coretta Scott King that invited me into Ebenezer to be her Youth Day speaker. Can you imagine what it meant to me to stand in that pulpit where Dr. King was? She gave me advice that sticks with me today. She gave me advice from a scripture that was so meaningful to me, that gave me the courage to step out and run for office, and that scripture was in the Book of Ephesians and Paul's letter where he said put on the whole arm of God so you will be able to stand in the evil day and having done all to stand.

That is what Coretta Scott King did for me, to give me the encouragement.

She was more than just Dr. Martin Luther King's wife; she was a leader in her own right. And in many measures perhaps when her legacy is truly written and truly examined, you will clearly see that God called her as he has called so many in our history of America and the world to come at the right time and the right place, as she established his foundation over the last quarter of a century and the national holiday. That was her legacy that gives us every year a chance to reflect on Dr. King and the establishment of the King Center.

God bless Coretta Scott King, and God, we thank you for sending Coretta Scott King our way."

Congressman Scott will attend the special musical tribute and viewing of Mrs. King at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday, February 6, 2006.  Scott will also attend the funeral services for Mrs. Coretta Scott King at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia on Tuesday, February 7, 2006.