“I remember reading about Rosa Parks when I was a kid, and I will never forget last year meeting this courageous woman who helped bend the course of history by risking her life doing what today Americans can take for granted.

“Rosa Parks’ passing reminds us of the responsibility we each have to make our America freer and stronger. Our work is not yet complete to guarantee civil rights, voting rights and human rights are protected in this country. The best way to celebrate Rosa Parks’ life and legacy is by acting on the courage of our convictions and holding our government accountable whenever our ideals of equality, freedom and justice are endangered.

“Rosa Parks remains in death what she was in life: a legend who will be remembered in our history books as well as our hearts because we would not be the country we are today without her courage so many years ago. Now she must inspire us to be the still greater country we are capable of becoming.”

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