Members of the Congressional Black Caucus and Jewish congressional members serve as the memorial forest's honorary sponsors. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, corporations and many other organizations and individuals, black and white, raise money for trees, Francks noted. How fitting that he be remembered by planting trees here. There is great commitment among Jews to the human rights principles Dr. King represented. His leadership of the civil rights struggle is a chapter in American history from which all of us can draw inspiration and renewed strength.
Trees represent human beings.
When there is a forest fire, it becomes almost a personal loss to people in Israel. People feel a very deep emotion. Hundreds of trees are added to the forest during King's birth month each year. The Jewish National Fund is responsible for planting and maintaining the forests. In the last 50 years, the fund has planted more than 200 million trees in Israel, Francks said.