BEIJING,
March. 16 -- Ricky Martin, Puerto Rico's all-time top-selling artist, was named
king of the 50th annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York Thursday.
Parade organizers said the honor recognizes Martin's musical success and his
efforts to fight the exploitation of children worldwide.
"He has always expressed his pride as a Puerto Rican
and a Latino," parade committee president Madelyn Lugo said in a news release.
"He has served as one of our greatest ambassadors, and we can't think of a
better role model to honor as the King of the Parade."
Martin, named Person of the Year in 2006 by the Latin
Recording Academy, accepted with gusto.
"I am honored and very humbly accept the invitation
to participate in the 50th anniversary of the national Puerto Rican parade," he
said.
Lugo said that while the parade has awarded other
titles before such as grand marshal and padrino, or godfather, this year's
parade, scheduled for June 10, is the first to have a king.
(Source: CRIENGLISH.com/Agencies)
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