New Memorial to Commemorate the Life, Work of Civil Rights Leader and Honor his International Contributions; Underscores Need to Restore the Park
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Caroline Cunningham, President of the Trust for the National Mall, issued the following statement in reaction to today's dedication of the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial.
"The Trust for the National Mall is delighted to welcome the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial to the National Mall. During the past 126 years, 12 monuments and memorials have been constructed on the reserve area of the National Mall, each reflecting an important moment in our shared history. The addition of the MLK Memorial adds another layer to this irreplaceable piece of our American fabric."
"The memorial to Dr. King will sit directly between the Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial, creating a 'line of leadership' between three men whose ideals helped to shape our nation and are now celebrated on the National Mall."
"This important addition to the National Mall further underscores the importance of restoring our nation's most popular park. The MLK Memorial will draw an estimated 5 million visitors each year, exposing even more people to the National Mall experience and the history of our country. However, the National Park Service estimates the new memorial will require an additional $1.2 million in maintenance each year."
To protect the MLK Memorial and the rest of America's Front Yard for future generations, support the Trust for the National Mall at http://www.nationalmall.org/.
The Trust for the National Mall is the official non-profit partner of the National Park Service dedicated to restoring and improving the National Mall, while providing new educational and volunteer opportunities that connect the park's 30 million annual visitors to the Mall's rich history. For more information on the Trust for the National Mall, please visit www.nationalmall.org.
SOURCE Trust for the National Mall
