Tony Bennett is an international treasure who was honored by the United Nations with their "Citizen of the World" award, which aptly describes the scope of his accomplishments. The son of a grocer and Italian-born immigrant, Anthony Dominick Benedetto was born on August 3, 1926, in Queens, New York. He attended school in Manhattan, where he met his boyhood idols: Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole, both big influences on Bennett's singing style. Tony’s big signature hit, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" typifies his soul and spirit. Throughout his career, he has always put his heart into humanitarian concerns. The Martin Luther King Center bestowed upon him their "Salute to Greatness Award" for his efforts to fight discrimination. He was a strong and constant supporter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and a devoted follower of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s philosophy of love and non – violence.