MLK Memorial Project Foundation Honors Congressman Hoyer with Defender of Democracy Award
WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) was honored by the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation with the Defender of Democracy award. Hoyer accepted the award at their Congressional Leadership Awards Lunch. "I am honored and humbled to receive this award from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Project Foundation, and I congratulate the hard-working men and women who fought to bring this important Memorial to fruition," stated Congressman Hoyer. "It will be a great day when Dr. King, not far from where he delivered his famous speech on the Mall in 1963, is honored among our nation's founders. Dr. King was a bold and active leader who fought to bring true equality and justice to all Americans, and through his work, he gave this nation the immeasurable gift of a better future. A place among our founders on the National Mall is a fitting tribute to honor the legacy of Dr. King and all he did to forever change this nation's history for the better." "We are honored to present the Defender of Democracy award to Congressman Hoyer for not only his service to our country, but for his undying support for this historic project to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.," said Harry E. Johnson, Sr., President and CEO, Washington, DC Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc. "In Congress, Steny Hoyer has built an outstanding record of achievement and earned a reputation as a strong leader and able legislator. In the 111th Congress, his skill at consensus-building has helped the House pass important legislation to strengthen our economy and bring health coverage to an additional 4 million children through the State Children's Health Insurance program." The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation was instrumental in the development of the Memorial honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which will be built on the National Mall. Congress passed Joint Resolutions in 1996, authorizing Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to establish a Memorial honoring Dr. King to be built in Washington, DC. The Ceremonial Groundbreaking took place on November 13, 2006 and the Memorial is scheduled to be completed in Summer 2011. For more information about the Memorial Foundation, please visit www.buildthedream.org. ### |