More than 300 persons participated yesterday in a “Salute to Israel” Parade and Israel Independence Day celebrations, the first ever to be held in this city. Mrs. Coretta King, widow of the late civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., sent greetings to the Jewish community in which she stated: “Upon the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of the modern-day State of Israel, I would like to extend my most sincere congratulations to you and the thousands of people of Jewish descent in the Atlanta community, who hope and work daily for world peace and brotherhood. We live in a world of turmoil and contradictions, however there are millions of people throughout this world who cherish humanity and the worth of human personality, and I know that they too join you upon this occasion.” Governors Reubin Askew of Florida and Jimmy Carter of Georgia also sent congratulatory messages expressing solidarity with the State of Israel and admiration for the courage, achievements and progress of its people. Moshe Gilboa, Israel’s Consul General for the Southeast, announced that Askew had proclaimed April 29 as Florida’s day of dedication to Israel’s independence. The Israel Independence Day celebration last night at The Temple was co-sponsored by the Jewish Welfare Federation and its affiliated organizations, and the Consulate General of Israel. Max Rittenbaum, Federation vice-president delivered greetings on behalf of the city’s Jewish community, and Gilboa delivered greetings on behalf of the State of Israel.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.