On Sunday, January 15, 2017, Haiti’s Ambassador to the United States, Paul Altidor, received the King Legacy Award for International Service. During a ceremony at the prestigious Willard Intercontinental Hotel in Washington DC, diplomats, academics and members of the private sector gathered for a sumptuous ceremony to celebrate the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In its 26th year, the International Salute of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is a gathering hosted annually in Washington, DC by the Institute for the Advancement of Multicultural and Minority Medicine (IAMMM) to ensure the continuity of an official tribute to the life and legacy of a man who contributed greatly to the social progress of the United States and the international community. A select number of individuals are recognized for their work; which promotes the philosophy of Dr. King.
In his presentation, Mr. Robert Stanton, Former Director of the National Park Service and Honorary Vice-Chair of the Martin Luther King Salute, praised the Ambassador for his exceptional representation of the Republic of Haiti in the United States. In his remarks, Ambassador Altidor talked about the significance of the award in the context of Haiti’s history. “Dr. King and other leaders from the Civil Rights movement acknowledged the monumental impact that the slave revolution in Haiti had on their lives” said Ambassador Altidor. The Ambassador’s thank you speech also highlighted his childhood in Jeremie and the progress our world has seen and experienced as a result of unwavering faith and immeasurable courage. Past recipients of the King Legacy Award for International Service have included OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza and Baleka Mbete, South African National Assembly Speaker and Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC).
