Pierce County proclaims Jan. 19 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and names January Whole Child Month

The Pierce County Council on Jan. 13 adopted proclamations designating Jan. 19, 2026, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Pierce County and naming January 2026 as Whole Child Month.

Councilmember Denson read the King proclamation, which recalled Dr. King’s leadership in the civil-rights movement and cited federal milestones such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The proclamation also referenced Pierce County ordinance O2025-570, which establishes a community impact index and requires community impact notes for proposed legislation. Community events for Jan. 19 were listed at piercecountywa.gov/council, including Tacoma’s free celebration at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center with an outreach fair at 11 a.m. and a main program at 1 p.m.

Jonathan Johnson, identified as a longtime Tacoma resident and recent past president of the Tacoma NAACP, accepted the King proclamation on behalf of the Tacoma Pierce County Black Collective and introduced Frank Boykin, who also addressed the council. Councilmember Herrera and others offered remarks on the importance of keeping King’s legacy at the center of civic life.

The council also proclaimed January 2026 as Whole Child Month to spotlight child development, physical activity and community partnerships. Laura Allen, director of the Tacoma Whole Child program, accepted the proclamation and said the declaration is "a promise" to invest in children’s holistic development. The proclamation noted a 2023 report indicating low daily physical activity among youth and encouraged volunteerism and support for youth-serving organizations.

Councilmembers paused to thank community partners and invited those accepting proclamations to take photos; no council votes were required for the ceremonial proclamations.