Dreaming about the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial

Recently State Farm Insurance contributed $1 million to help fund the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial planned for the Tidal Basin. Even more recently, though, the plan for the MLK National Memorial just got weaker. Don't wait for the cascading water, a high footbridge and an elevated walkway that were in the original design. The National Capital Planning Commission approved what they call a "simplier" design. Are we talking about Martin Luther King, Jr. or Martin Lawrence? The memorial ought to be growing, not shrinking!



Well, let's just get the final approval done and get to building. The Memorial will be located near the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial on a four-acre plot of land sitting between the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials. The location was approved in 1999!

Thus far $58 million has been raised of the $100 million needed. So, it looks like at this rate we should be expecting the groundbreaking ceremony around, ummm, 2012? If you're dreaming about visiting the memorial sometime before that, you can make a contribution online, receiving a "Build the Dream" wristband and lapel pin for donations of at least $5. Donate $30 and you receive a "Dream Now" t-shirt.

Visit the MLK Memorial website to learn more about the project, its design and more.