The full release:

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Local Clergy and Labor Leaders Endorse Martin, Cite Integrity, Vision, and Long Record of Service

ATLANTA - Civil Rights icon the Rev. Joseph Lowery, AFL-CIO President Richard Ray, and other prominent clergy and community leaders today endorsed Jim Martin for U.S. Senate, citing Martin's long record of service to all Georgians and his ability to fight for change in Washington.

The Rev. Tim McDonald, the former leader of the Concerned Black Clergy, and the Rev. J.A. Milner, pastor of Chapel of Christian Love Baptist Church in Atlanta, joined Rev. Lowery and Ray in showing their support for Martin and his campaign in a press conference late this morning.

"As we anticipate the election of a visionary president of these United States in November," said Rev. Lowery, "we must be keenly aware of the need to send to the Congress men and women who share the vision of the president and the platform from which attempts will be made to enact laws and establish policies.

"We believe Jim Martin, candidate for the U.S. Senate, and consistent Democrat, meets that standard, and shares that vision."

"The state of Georgia is ready for new leadership," said Rev. McDonald. "I've known Jim Martin for almost 28 years. His integrity is impeccable. He not only works for the middle class but he has a deep and abiding concern for those who are poor and locked out. He will represent all of Georgia."

"I've witnessed the compassion of Jim Martin," said Rev. Milner. "He has demonstrated throughout the years his sensitivity to the needs of all people."

"Jim Martin is an honest, dedicated public servant who has devoted his life to making things better for children, middle class working people, seniors, and every citizen of this state," said Ray. "His record of accomplishment speaks for itself and the entire labor movement in Georgia is working very hard to elect Jim."

"I am grateful and honored to have the support of Rev. Lowery," said Martin. "Rev. Lowery, Rev. McDonald, Rev. Milner, and Richard Ray are all leaders in this community and work hard every day on behalf of all Georgians, and that is the work I will continue in the United States Senate. Together, we will make sure that Georgia families who don't have a voice are heard - the people who are worried about the price of gasoline and the price of groceries in the grocery store, and the people who don't have health insurance. That has to change, and together we will work hard to change this country and put us on the right track."

The Rev. Joseph Lowery, a minister and leader in the Civil Rights Movement, was a founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Rev. Lowery has received several notable awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the NAACP, which has called him the "dean of the civil rights movement." Rev. Lowery has also received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center Peace Award and the National Urban League's 2004 Whitney M. Young, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award.

Richard Ray was elected President of the Georgia AFL-CIO in October 1999. Prior to that election, Ray served as the Secretary-Treasurer of the organization. He has been a member of the Steelworkers/Flint Glassworkers Union since 1963. Ray is an active member of the Georgia Democratic Party and serves as a member of the Democratic National Committee.

A veteran and church elder, Martin served with distinction for nearly two decades in the Georgia House of Representatives. Martin later led the Department of Human Resources under Gov. Roy Barnes and Gov. Sonny Perdue. He and Joan, his wife of 38 years, have four children and three grandchildren.

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