Prudential Financial Gives $1 Million to King Memorial

By Robert "Rob" Redding Jr.

Publisher

ATLANTA, May 08, 2007, 1:30 a.m. - Prudential Financial this week announced it is giving $1 million to fund a memorial in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., said Rep. John Lewis. 

Lewis, a Democrat, praised Art Ryan, Prudential Financial's chairman and CEO, for the contribution in a brief statement:

“Your contribution is an important step down a very long road to honor a great American who changed this nation forever," Lewis said. "Dr. King was not a politician; he was not a president or a member of Congress. He was a simple Baptist preacher who became the greatest moral leader of his time. He spoke to the conscience of us all telling us that the transformative power of love, the way of peace, the way of non-violence is a better way, a more excellent way.
 

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“He inspired millions of Americans across this nation and human beings around the world to believe that we could create a beloved community based on simple justice that values the dignity and the worth of every human being. And because of what he did and what he sacrificed, he must be looked upon as one of the founding fathers of the New America, a nation he help awaken to the true meaning of its creed. This generous contribution helps bring the foundation closer to the building of a moving memorial to Martin Luther King Jr.--to the man, to his philosophy, to his dream and all that he stood for. Thank you.”

Lewis has said $100 million is needed to build and maintain the memorial. The 4-acre monument will sit along the National Mall's Tidal Basin next to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial.

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