WASHINGTON ' U.S. Senator Tom Udall sent the following statement in recognition of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday:

"Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is an inspiration to our nation and to the world. And now more than ever, we should recommit ourselves to his teachings and legacy.

"Many of us are concerned and about the divides among us that have surfaced. But now is the time to regroup, rejuvenate, and reaffirm the values of Dr. King, and the values upon which our nation was founded.

"He said, 'Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.' I believe there is more light than dark in our country, more love than hate. And that the people of America have more in common than we have differences.

"We all must do what we can - each day - to embody the values and spirit of Dr. King, work toward unity and fight efforts to divide us."