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From the NIH Director: 2020 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D.

Dear NIH Family,

On Monday, January 20, 2020, NIH will join the nation in celebrating the achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

One of Dr. King’s most famous quotes states, “Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” This quote speaks to how we live out Dr. King’s legacy here at NIH every day. It is our willingness to serve individuals throughout the country and world that allows us to daily seek knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability in our world.

As we celebrate and honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I encourage you to visit the NIH Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion’s website and view its online campaign focusing on the theme: "Doing for Others."

You can support the Portfolio for Blacks and get involved in its efforts to improve the outreach, recruitment, retention, and the advancement of this and other diverse populations at NIH. For more information, please contact Ms. Dawn M. Wayman, Special Emphasis Portfolio Branch, EDI, or visit the EDI website.

Sincerely yours,

Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D.
Director

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