What if, as his parting shot, Bordeaux sought a constitutional amendment to change the start of the general session of the Utah Legislature? What if the Alliance for Unity (sounds like something right down its alley, doesn't it?) embraced this as an issue and urged its passage? What if mainstream Utahns — many of whom already observe the holiday because they receive a paid holiday or because colleges and public schools take a one-day recess — jumped on the bandwagon? The timing's right. Congressional and legislative elections will be conducted this fall, which means a statewide vote is scheduled.

What if the private sector followed suit? According to the Bureau of National Affairs, only one-third of the nation's workers receive a paid holiday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Regrettably, my employer is among the two-thirds that does not.

I think a three-day weekend prior to the start of the Utah Legislature makes a lot of sense. What a great opportunity for lawmakers to spend a long weekend with family members before their schedules are monopolized by legislative committees, caucus lunches and floor time. While legislative service exacts a toll from its members, spouses, children and other family members pay a price, too.

And what a great opportunity for families or individual lawmakers to perform acts of community service to celebrate the Rev. Martin Luther King's call for service and equality. After all, that's the true meaning of the holiday.

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Marjorie Cortez is a Deseret Morning News editorial writer. E-mail her at marjorie@desnews.com