Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Foundation Marks Progress

WASHINGTON

The Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation Inc. recently announced the progress of the memorial slated to be built on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

"Building a memorial on the National Mall is a complicated process and involves many parties," says LeRoy Lowery III, executive director of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation. "We're pleased with the progress we have made to date."

The review and approval process for the memorial involves hearings, public debates and — if requested by select commissions —additional studies. Since the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity created the MLK Memorial Foundation to build a national memorial honoring King, many significant milestones have been achieved. Most recently:

• In 2002, the Commission of Fine Arts and National Capital Planning Commission reviewed the preliminary design for the MLK Memorial.

• In January 2003, the MLK Memorial Foundation participated in an environmental assessment public scoping hearing, a necessary step in the memorial's construction.

The MLK Foundation also has partnered successfully with individuals and organizations to raise awareness for the memorial.

For example, in 2002 the Ad Council announced their support for the foundation and began developing a public service announcement campaign that will promote the memorial, scheduled to launch in March.

The MLK Memorial Foundation has raised $25 million of the estimated $100 million required to build the memorial. General Motors, Tommy Hilfiger and Bell South continue to provide corporate support toward the MLK memorial.

The memorial will be constructed on a four-acre plot situated on the Tidal Basin across from the Jefferson Memorial.

For more information about the Martin Luther King memorial, visit www.mlkmemorial.org> or call (202) 737-5420.