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John Daley ReportingCoretta Scott King, who worked tirelessly to keep her husband's dream alive, has died. The wife of the late Rev. Martin Luther King, Junior passed away in her sleep last night. She is remembered fondly here in Utah.
She's being remembered as a "real hero" in Utah. She visited the state almost exactly 20 years ago, just as an on-going controversy swirled up on Utah's Capitol Hill over whether to create a holiday in Dr. King's name.
Ask Utah leaders about Coretta Scott King and praise for "the first lady of the civil rights movement" just flows with words like dignity, grace, strength and humility.
Jeanetta Williams, Pres. Utah NAACP: "She was an ordinary person doing extraordinary things. Her and her fight for equality didn't just die with Dr. King."
Rep. Duane Bourdeaux, (D) Salt Lake City:"She continued his legacy in regards to social justice through non-violence. Our country has lost a real hero."
Hard feelings still linger about the fight over whether to create a Martin Luther King Day holiday. We dug deep into KSL-TV's archives to 1986. Almost exactly 20 years ago, Utah lawmakers debated whether to consolidate Washington and Lincoln's birthdays into President's Day and create a Martin Luther King Day.
Rep. Ray Schmutz, (R) Washington County, Jan. 29, 1986: "If we pass it, we're saying in essence that Martin Luther King is a better man than both Lincoln and Washington put together. Or at least he's equal to it. I don't believe and I don't think you'll believe it. Second point is that we're giving Martin Luther King the credit for the work done by many many people."
Rep. Robert Sykes, (R) Salt Lake City, Jan. 29, 1986: "This is more that a vote on Dr. King and Dr. King's personality. This is a vote on an idea. The idea is equality, equal rights under the law and equal opportunity. That is what the holiday has come to symbolize."
A bill passed, but one creating a Human Rights Day, not one in King's name. A week later, Coretta Scott King visited Utah to rousing applause. She spoke to the legislature and students at BYU about the future.
Coretta Scott King, Feb. 7,1986: "It is important that we teach our young people, because they are the ones that are going to be hopefully picking up the torch and carrying it forward in the future."
It would take more than a decade for lawmakers to change Human Rights Day to Martin Luther King Day.
The Governor's Office says Governor Huntsman plans to lower all of the state's flags for the day of Coretta Scott King's funeral and is waiting for direction from the White House.
