Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial
A significant portion of humanity makes me cringe, wishing I was something less human and more innocuous. Being a buttercup or a bluebell would be nice. It’s difficult to pull off a solid evil vibe when you lack higher thought and opposable thumbs.
Even cynical, cranky me has had to admit to being moved by some of my fellow people. Martin Luther King, Jr. is near the top of my list of beings I’m proud to share the classification “human” with.
So beloved and respected is he still, in 1996 Congress officially authorized the Memorial Foundation to begin raising funds for a National Memorial in honor of Dr. King. The Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial will be placed on the National Mall, between the Lincoln Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial.
It should be noted that Dr. King’s memorial will be the first on the Mall to acknowledge a person of color, a man who worked and spoke out for peace, and who was neither a veteran of war nor a president.
Here’s what the completed memorial will look like:
Questions Answered:
Why build a Memorial to Dr. King?
More than a monument to a great humanitarian, the National Memorial honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be a place for visitors from all over the world to be energized by its extraordinary power; the power that illuminated the faith of our founders and now impels us toward our destiny as a nation; the power flowing from the uniquely American spirit of brotherly love, freedom, justice, and the priceless blessing they endure…peace.
Why build the Memorial now?
Dr. King once reminded the nation of “the fierce urgency of now” while warning against “the tranquilizing drug of gradualism.” The time is now a historical perspective. Many young people have heard of Dr. King, but are unaware of the significance of his contributions to America and the world. The design has been established; the site is secured; the fundraising teams are already at work; and more than $106 million of the campaign goal has been raised. The time is now.
When will the Memorial be completed?
The Ceremonial Groundbreaking occurred on November 13, 2006. The Dedication of the Memorial is tentatively scheduled for the Fall of 2011.
How much will the Memorial cost?
It is estimated that the total cost of the project will be $120 million. Of that amount, more than $106 million has been raised.—
What can I do to help?
Individuals as well as corporations can add their financial support to this effort. Contributions, large and small, are needed to attain our goal of $120 million. Spread the word to your friends, neighbors and acquaintances that their donations are urgently needed. Most major employers match employee donations, so if you donate to the Memorial Foundation your employer may double that amount.
Posted by Alexa Harrington
