The dream of building a memorial to honor one of this country's historic figures is making great strides, thanks to the contributions of multinational corporations, international governments and not-for-profit organizations like credit unions.

In support of the decade-long effort to build a memorial in Washington, DC to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are Cooperative Services, Inc., Georgia Central Credit Union and Georgia Credit Union League. Georgia Credit Union Affiliates is a trade association that provides advocacy, educational, operational and marketing support for Georgia credit unions. There are 182 credit unions in Georgia, with total assets of $12 billion, serving over 1.7 million members.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Georgia credit unions have joined with their credit union counterparts across the United States to impact the nearly $1 million already raised by credit unions to date.

"Credit unions, credit union leagues, foundations, business partners and associations across the country understand the value of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial to our country and the honor of taking advantage of this historic opportunity," said Hubert Hoosman, Jr., president/CEO of Vantage Credit Union in St. Louis, MO and former chairman of the African American Credit Union Coalition, a national organization that has led fundraising efforts among credit unions. "More importantly, the national credit union movement has stepped up to the plate again to show differentiation between credit unions and other financial institutions."

The process to erect a memorial to the fallen civil rights leader began over a decade ago when in 1996, then President Bill Clinton, signed legislation proposing the establishment of a memorial in the District of Columbia to honor Dr. King. Three years later, the National Capital Planning Commission approved a four-acre site for the memorial, and in 2001, fundraising efforts began.

A ceremonial groundbreaking was held on the National Mall in 2006, attended by Presidents Bush and Clinton along with a who's who list of celebrities, U.S. Senators, members of Congress and other leaders. Once complete, the memorial will stand as a tribute to the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and to honor his national and international contributions to world peace through non-violent social change.

To date, 24 credit unions in Georgia have contributed over $56,000, including a $10,000 contribution by the Georgia Credit Union League Service Corporation. The monies raised by credit unions will help establish a trust fund for the maintenance of the memorial and for educational programs. "Georgia credit unions know firsthand the impact that Dr. King has made on our state and our country," said President/CEO of Georgia Credit Union Affiliates, Michael Mercer. "Our participation in this effort is our way of demonstrating support for this incredible project that will impact generations to come."

Credit union leaders from across Georgia express their commitment to being part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial:

Claude Garret, president of MidSouth Federal Credit Union of Macon, GA, had this to say, "MidSouth is tremendously honored to support this fund to preserve the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. The efforts of credit unions across the nation to help raise funds and increase awareness of this mission show our combined strength and commitment to our nation's rich heritage." "Augusta Metro Federal Credit Union is a proud contributor to the Martin Luther King Memorial Project," said Sherry Saxon, CEO of Augusta Metro FCU. "Dr. King's message of the American Dream aligns with the credit union philosophy of people helping people.'"

"Atlanta Postal Credit Union is proud to be a sponsor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial," said Don DeCinque, president/CEO of Atlanta Postal CU. "Being headquartered in Atlanta, we wanted to show our support for a hometown hero."

Janet Davis, president/CEO of TIC Federal Credit Union in Columbus, GA, said, "This is an important project that will honor a true pioneer and one of our country's most important leaders."

"Dr. Martin Luther King spent his life helping to improve the lives of others, a philosophy which is synonymous with the mission of credit unions," said Coosa Valley Federal Credit Union CEO Ron Tomlinson. "We were glad for the opportunity to contribute to the Memorial and in so doing, be a part of honoring one of America's greatest heroes."

For information about the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial, visit www.mlkmemorial.org.