October 7, 1998
Ali Promotes Museum To Honor Him
By BRUCE SCHREINER Associated Press Writer
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) _ Muhammad Ali brought the torch he used to light
the Olympic flame at the Atlanta Games, and offered it Wednesday to be
exhibited at a museum proposed to honor him.
From schoolchildren to politicians, people flocked around the three-time
heavyweight champion whose life journey would be on display at the
Muhammad Ali Center.
Ali's wife, Lonnie, said their goal for the center is to inspire people,
especially children, to reach their potential and to show tolerance and
respect for others, no matter their skin color or beliefs. ``This center
will not be about his fame. Muhammad does not want that. It is about
values rather than fame,'' his wife said.
Ali, afflicted with Parkinson's syndrome, made no formal comments during
the news conference near the downtown site for the proposed building.
The Ali Center would include a museum, a research center, an auditorium
and a garden. It would be built downtown near the Ohio River, where Ali
is reputed to have thrown his 1960 Olympic gold medal to protest racial
injustice.
Organizers want to raise $80 million for the long-anticipated project _
$60 million to design and build the center, plus $20 million for an
endowment to pay for its operation. Organizers hope to open the center
on Jan. 17, 2001, Ali's 59th birthday.
The Alis plan to move back to Louisville from Berrien Springs, Mich., to
help oversee development and operation of
the center, Lonnie Ali said.
``It's not just Ali's victories in the ring that will be captured at
this center,'' mayor Jerry Abramson said. ``But it will be as much about
the causes for which the champ fought outside the ring _ equal rights,
tolerance, peace in the world, respect for other human beings _ that
will be expounded upon and taught at this center.''
Gov. Paul Patton pledged support to raise money _ both public and
private _ to build the museum. Patton said the center should be built
``on a scale that is commensurate with Muhammad Ali's impact on the
world.''
Larry Townsend, who heads the Ali Center board, said afterwards that
construction wouldn't begin until all the money is raised.
--
Judith Richards, London, Ontario, Canada
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