; Whereas Gandhi inspired civil rights leaders around the world, including Martin Luther King, Jr., who wrote, while the Montgomery boycott was going on, India’s Gandhi was the guiding light of our technique of nonviolent social change ; Whereas Gandhi was responsible for civil rights movements in 4 continents and 12 countries; Whereas Gandhi was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 5 times during his life, and was called Mahatma (the great soul) in his native India for his devoted service to others; and Whereas Gandhi’s legacy has had a lasting impact in spreading peace and promoting nonviolent protest as the best and most effective method to remedy unjust social and political conditions across India and the entire world: Now, therefore, be it