Carter-King Peace Walk Honors Nobel Laureates

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CONTACT: Jon Moor
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ATLANTA....An outdoor exhibition honoring two of the world's greatest peacemakers-- President Jimmy Carter and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.-- was unveiled here June 27 during a morning ceremony in Atlanta's Freedom Park.

President and Mrs. Carter and Mrs. Coretta Scott King joined The Carter Center, Freedom Park Conservancy and The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in dedicating The Carter-King Peace Walk at Freedom Park. The public ceremony included a keynote address by congressman and civil rights activist John Lewis, with remarks by President Carter, Mrs. King, Mrs. Christine King Farris--Dr. King's only surviving sibling--and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin.

The six-exhibit tribute physically links The Carter Presidential Center with the National Park Service's Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site and The King Center along 1.5 miles of the Freedom Park Trail. Symbolically, The Carter-King Peace Walk celebrates the lives of two Georgians who passionately pursued human and civil rights for all people.

"I am very grateful for such an educational and historically significant addition joining our center with the King site," said former President Jimmy Carter. "It is truly an honor to be recognized in this way and included in such an exhibit with Dr. King."

"It is gratifying that this trail will honor the contributions of President Jimmy Carter and my husband, Martin Luther King Jr.," added Mrs. Coretta Scott King. "Their contributions as recipients of the Nobel prize for peace have inspired people all over the world, and their examples as peacemakers provide a great source of pride for all Georgians."

An anonymous Atlanta donor conceived the idea for The Carter-King Peace Walk hoping to give new meaning to Freedom Park, which connects the national landmarks to President Carter and Dr. King, and highlights the cooperation between the Freedom Park Conservancy, The Carter Center, and The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

"This is a special day for Atlanta and for the families and supporters of both The Carter Center and The King Historic Site," said Kara Land, president, Freedom Park Conservancy. "The Conservancy is honored to host a public tribute to the legacy of President Carter and Dr. King, and looks forward to inviting people from around the country to Freedom Park to experience the rich history of these instrumental leaders and peacemakers."

The National Park Service, which produced the markers in collaboration with The Carter Center, Freedom Park Conservancy, and The King Center, will maintain the exhibits.

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	THE CARTER CENTER: CONNIE NELSON Former President Jimmy Carter and Mrs. Coretta Scott King, guests of honor at the Carter-King Peace Walk dedication, listen to Congressman John Lewis.
	The 1.5 mile trail features six exhibits, including this tribute to President and Mrs. Carter.