Statement From Dr. Bernice King, CEO, the King Center on the Passing of Hank Aaron

Hank & Billye Aaron being presented with the Salute to Greatness award by The King Center in 2003.

I am deeply saddened by the passing of baseball legend Hank Aaron. Like my father, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., he stood strong against hate and racism and was able to persevere, becoming one of the greatest baseball players that has ever lived. My father was a big fan of baseball and Mr. Aaron. He and my father shared a mutual respect and admiration.

After the assassination of my father, Mr. Aaron was very supportive of my mother, Mrs. Coretta Scott King and The King Center, even leading the coordination of one our first national fundraising campaigns. In 2003, we honored him with the Salute to Greatness Award. For many years, he supplied The King Center with fleets of BMW cars to help transport participants during our annual King Holiday Observance activities. We truly appreciate his commitment to The King Center, and we are grateful for his life, his support, his leadership and his contributions to creating the Beloved Community. I offer my sincere condolences to his wife Billye and the entire Aaron family.