A RESOLUTION honoring the life and legacy of Reverend Alfred Daniel "A.D." King.
Summary
SR277 is a Senate resolution honoring the life and legacy of Reverend Alfred Daniel “A.D.” King. The resolution recounts his upbringing in Atlanta, his ministry and civil rights leadership, and his work alongside his brother, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in major campaigns for racial justice. It highlights his participation in sit-ins, his role in the Birmingham Campaign, his commitment to nonviolence, and his later pastoral work in Kentucky, especially at Zion Baptist Church in Louisville.
The resolution also emphasizes A.D. King’s Kentucky connections, noting that he moved to Louisville in 1965, founded the Kentucky Christian Leadership Council, and helped organize open housing marches. It memorializes the bombing of his Louisville church office, his continued involvement in the Poor People’s Campaign and SCLC-related work, and his death in 1969. The measure concludes by formally honoring him and directing the Senate to adjourn in his memory.
Impact
As a commemorative resolution, SR277 does not amend Kentucky statutes, create new programs, or change regulatory duties. Its legal effect is symbolic and ceremonial: it records the Senate’s official recognition of A.D. King’s contributions, and it directs that the Senate adjourn in his honor on the day of adoption. The resolution also serves to preserve legislative memory of civil rights history in Kentucky, particularly Louisville’s role in open housing and Black church leadership.
Sentiment
The sentiment around SR277 is strongly positive and reverential. The resolution’s language is laudatory throughout, describing A.D. King as a devoted minister, courageous advocate for justice, and person of integrity, fairness, and kindness. The bill was adopted by voice vote, which suggests broad, noncontroversial support and no recorded opposition in the available history.
Contention
No substantive contention is evident in the available record. Because SR277 is a memorial resolution rather than policy legislation, there were no committee transcripts, recorded floor debate, or roll-call votes indicating disagreement. The only potentially sensitive element is the resolution’s reference to suspicion surrounding A.D. King’s drowning, but the text presents that fact as part of his biography rather than as a disputed policy issue. Overall, the measure appears to have been treated as a unifying tribute.