'Lawmakers': Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. honored on Day 5

Lawmakers honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Day 5 of the legislative session. 

After the brief floor sessions, lawmakers headed to the annual event under the Gold Dome featuring a performance from the Atlanta Boys' Choir.

Gov. Brian Kemp spoke at the event and praised King's accomplishments. Speaker of the House Jon Burns and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones also gave remarks. 

"Today is not only a day to acknowledge the contributions he made to our state and nation, but also to reflect on how we can continue on with his legacy and the mission in our lives," Kemp said. "Dr. King implored others, implored others to to strive for progress, to unity, and truly love our neighbors as ourselves." 

King’s 15-year-old granddaughter, Yolanda Renee King, urged lawmakers to act with compassion and respect in a tense political year.

"All Georgians can take pride that Martin Luther King Jr. called our state home, and that even with all of the racial segregation of our past, he was able to sow seeds of interracial brotherhood and sisterhood in the red clay of our state," she said.

Later in the day, Sen. Donzella James (D-Atlanta) shared her feelings on receiving the prestigious Legislator of the Year award from the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus.

"I'm really honored because you work, work, work and you never think about awards," she said. "So to receive one is really great." James said she is grateful for her constituents who continue to elect her and keep her in the loop about problems in the community to address with legislation.

Lawmakers will not hold floor sessions next week. Instead, they will review Kemp’s proposed budget recommendations and hear budget requests from state agencies.