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Commemorative Service
General Information | Commemorative Service Programs 1986-2009 | Martin Luther King Nonviolent Peace Prize
General Information
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Commemorative Service is the hallmark of the King Holiday Observance. The church service is held on the Federal Holiday at Ebenezer Baptist Church located near The King Center. The service is an ecumenical endeavor, engaging members of various religious traditions, and state national and international governments. On this day The King Center encourages the world to engage in volunteer service in tribute to the work and life of Dr. King.
Commemorative Service Programs Keynote and Special Remarks
1986 – 2008
1986
Peace Prize Recipient: Bishop Desmond Tutu, D.D.
Keynote Speaker: George H.W. Bush
1987
Peace Prize Recipient: Honorable Corazon C. Aquino
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dr. Robert Schuller
1988
Keynote Speaker: Bishop Leontine T.C. Kely
1989
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Jesse L. Jackson
1990
Peace Prize Recipient: Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dr. Otis Moss
1991
Keynote Speaker: Honorable Andrew J. Young
1992
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr.
1993
Peace Prize Recipient: Rev. Jesse L. Jackson
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Bernice Albertine King
1994
Speakers: Mrs. Coretta Scott King
1995
Speakers: Mrs. Coretta Scott King and Dexter Scott King
1996
Keynote Speaker: Honorable William J. Clinton
1997
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Johnetta B. Cole
1998
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Robert M. Franklin
1999
Peace Prize Recipient: Mr. John Hume, M.P.
Keynote Speaker: Archbishop Desmond Mplilo Tutu
2000
Keynote Speaker: Honorable DeForest B. Soaries, Jr.
2001
Keynote Speaker: Honorable Andrew J. Young
2002
Keynote Speaker: Bishop Eddie L. Long
2003
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Michael L. Pfleger
2004
Keynote Speaker: Martin Luther King, III
2005
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dr. Suzan D. Johnson Cook
2006
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dr. Floyd H. Flake
2007
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Sr.
2008
Special Remarks: The Honorable William J. Clinton
Keynote Speaker: Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie
2009
Keynote Speaker: Pastor Rick Warren
Martin Luther King, Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize
During this event the Center may award the Martin Luther King, Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize. The prize is awarded for commitment to nonviolence as a way of life, recognizes achievements in the eradication of poverty, and racism and the successful quest for alternatives to war. The award highlights individuals who use nonviolent strategies to gain social justice, human rights, and civil rights liberties.
A cash stipend of $1,000, a medal of Dr. King, a diploma and a citation are given to the prize recipient. The following individuals have been awarded the Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Prize since 1973.
1973 - Andrew Young
1974 - Cesar Chavez
1975 - John Lewis
1976 - Randolph Blackwell
1977 - Benjamin E. Mays
1978 - Stanley Levison, Kenneth Kaunda
1979 - Jimmy Carter
1980 - Rosa Parks
1981 - Ivan Allen, Jr.
1982 - Harry Belafonte
1983 - Martin Luther King, Sr., Sir Richard Attenborough
1985 - Archbishop Desmond Tutu
1987 - Corazon E. Aquino
1990 - Joseph E. Lowery
1991 - Mikhail S. Gorbachev
1992 - Jesse Jackson
1999 - John Hume
