The historical figure recognized for their contributions to legislation on civil rights is Martin Luther King Jr.. He was a pivotal leader in the American civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s, advocating for nonviolent protest against racial segregation and discrimination. King played a crucial role in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which aimed to provide legal protections against racial injustice. His impactful speeches, including the famous "I Have a Dream," resonated deeply and mobilized a generation toward equality and justice.