New MLK memorials in the works

On what would have been Martin Luther King Jr.'s 78th birthday, some Houstonians are saying the city hasn't done enough to commemorate the life of the civil rights leader through the years. Sure, there's the street in southeast Houston that bears his name and there's the bust of MLK at Bricker Park, but maybe that's not enough for a city like Houston.

By this time next year, the Chronicle reports, at least two groups hope to have additional King memorials in place or under way, including a life-sized statue in Hermann Park's International Sculpture Garden, and another life-sized likeness depicting King with two young children and a student at the Martin Luther King Early Childhood Education Center, 3930 W. Fuqua. City Councilwoman Ada Edwards is leading the private effort to raise $250,000 for the Hermann Park statue, which she said would be in an ideal location — it would stand near busts of internationally famous figures including Simon Bolivar and Mahatma Gandhi. "We just think it's the right thing to do. We want to honor him as an international leader," Edwards told the Chronicle. "This park is an epicenter for all people. This would be the perfect place. ... It will be a permanent facility that will be taken care of in the right way." The group has already raised $70,000 and is trying to get another $50,000, which would trigger a $50,000 matching grant. At the MLK school, the PTO is trying to raise $207,000 for its memorial, where they hope the statue will inspire students to follow in King's footsteps. "Dr. King is worthy of this. We wanted to show that the 'dream' starts here (at school)," project chairman Walter Cuby said. "It will be something that will last forever. We need to revive some of the things he talked about and did."

To make donations to the Hermann Park statue fund, visit hermannpark.org, and for more info on the school statue, call Cuby at 832.489.4322.