Recognizing the contributions of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to the civil society of the United States and the world and to the cause of nonviolent social and political change to advance social justice and equality for all races and calling on the people of the United States to study, reflect on, and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on the thirtieth anniversary of his death.

Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 19, 1998

Declares that the Congress recognizes the importance of the life and work of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to the civil society and freedoms of the United States. Calls on the people of the United States to study, reflect on, and celebrate Dr. King's life and ideals.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Watts, J. C., Jr. [R-OK-4] · R–OK

Committees

Judiciary Committee
Judiciary Committee

26 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Apr 2, 1998
Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Apr 1, 1998
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Apr 1, 1998
On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
Apr 1, 1998
Passed/agreed to in House: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
Apr 1, 1998
Mr. Canady asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
Apr 1, 1998
Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H2031-2032)
Apr 1, 1998
Committee on Judiciary discharged.
Apr 1, 1998
Committee on Judiciary discharged.
Mar 19, 1998
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Mar 19, 1998
Introduced in House
Mar 19, 1998
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Referred in Senate · Apr 2, 1998 Formatted Text PDF
Engrossed in House · Apr 1, 1998 Formatted Text PDF
Introduced in House · Mar 19, 1998 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.Con.Res.247 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Con.Res.247, 105th Congress: Recognizing the contributions of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to the civil society of the United States and the world and to the cause of nonviolent social and political change to advance social justice and equality for all races and calling on the people of the United States to study, reflect on, and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on the thirtieth anniversary of his death.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/247

Text version to examine: Referred in Senate · 1998-04-02.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hconres247/BILLS-105hconres247rfs.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:54:20Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.Con.Res.247 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.Con.Res.247 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Con.Res.247, 105th Congress: Recognizing the contributions of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to the civil society of the United States and the world and to the cause of nonviolent social and political change to advance social justice and equality for all races and calling on the people of the United States to study, reflect on, and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on the thirtieth anniversary of his death.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/247

Text version to examine: Referred in Senate · 1998-04-02.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hconres247/BILLS-105hconres247rfs.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:54:20Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Con.Res.247 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.Con.Res.247 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Con.Res.247, 105th Congress: Recognizing the contributions of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to the civil society of the United States and the world and to the cause of nonviolent social and political change to advance social justice and equality for all races and calling on the people of the United States to study, reflect on, and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on the thirtieth anniversary of his death.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/247

Text version to examine: Referred in Senate · 1998-04-02.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hconres247/BILLS-105hconres247rfs.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:54:20Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Con.Res.247 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.Con.Res.247 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Con.Res.247, 105th Congress: Recognizing the contributions of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to the civil society of the United States and the world and to the cause of nonviolent social and political change to advance social justice and equality for all races and calling on the people of the United States to study, reflect on, and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on the thirtieth anniversary of his death.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/247

Text version to examine: Referred in Senate · 1998-04-02.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hconres247/BILLS-105hconres247rfs.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:54:20Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Con.Res.247 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.