Union leaders eulogized civil rights leader Coretta Scott King, who died Jan. 31 at 78, as an activist for workers, minoritiies, the poor and those who faced discrimination and segregation.

King, widow of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., took up the civil rights torch after her husband was assassinated in Memphis in 1978, starting with her leadership of a 50,000-person march there for Memphis sanitation workers who were striking to form their union and gain recognition. However, she already had been a civil rights and peace activist when she met King.

"King was a woman of brilliance, grace and deep belief in the mission of social justice and racial equality in a world that could be violent, unpredictable and unfair. She devoted her life to helping those most in need. We are committed to carry forward the unfinished work and fulfill her dream in the 21st century," AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said.

AFSCME President Gerald McEntee, who noted the Memphis strikers were AFSCME members, made a similar promise.

Teamsters President James R. Hoffa said unionists "mourn her death and will continue to strive to uphold the values she courageously championed through volatile times in our nation's history." He added that King backed Teamsters in their fights for fairness on the job "and I am proud to have marched with her as my father" -- the late Teamsters President James P. Hoffa -- "marched with her husband" for civil rights.

This article was written by Press Associates, Inc., news service. Used by permission.