As we gather here today in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I am struck by all that has happened since we last celebrated this holiday. As a global community, we have faced unprecedented public health challenges in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Nationally, we have felt the impacts of increasingly partisan politics in the recent events in Washington and we have continued to grapple with issues of racial injustice and inequity that have plagued this country since its inception. At home, many of us have struggled with the uncertainty brought about by the events of the past year.

I will not deny that these are challenging times, but I submit to you that great darkness serves to magnify the light. These are all immense issues, far too complex for any one man or woman to solve alone. But in small actions – in the quiet actions, the caring gestures, and the daily sacrifices of regular people – this is where we find the light that shows us that a better tomorrow is on the horizon.

If we look beyond the headlines to our friends and neighbors, to our community, to the good people of Palm Bay, we see these kind of stories. Our community has shown great strength and resiliency in the face of the challenges of the past year. With countless examples of neighbors helping neighbors, rallying to support local businesses, caring for those in need and lending a helping hand, I’ve seen the light burning brightly here in the City of Palm Bay.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to us of transforming struggle into action and building a beloved community, a just society, united by common purpose and free from injustice. Through his wisdom, we see that together we can accomplish all things. United together, all those small moments – the good we see in this community, the care, and love of our neighbors – all these things build and amplify when we’re united as one people. This is how we overcome these great obstacles we face today.

In 1963 Dr. King said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

By that measure, I stand before you assured that the future of Palm Bay will be bright. The challenges we face today are varied and complex, but I know that if we continue to engage with our community and build bonds of trust and respect, that there is no obstacle that we cannot overcome.