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WASHINGTON - Today, Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D -Ill.) sent a letter to President Bush urging him to sign their legislation to honor Rosa Parks with a statue in U.S. Capitol's Statuary Hall into law by December 1 -- the 50th anniversary of her courageous refusal to move to the back of the bus. The legislation passed the House and the Senate last week.
Below is the text of the letter to President Bush:
The Honorable George W. Bush President White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Bush:
On Friday, November 18, 2005, the House and Senate both unanimously passed H.R. 4145, a bill to honor Mrs. Rosa Parks with a statue in Statuary Hall of the United States Capitol. On behalf of the 220 cosponsors n the House of Representatives and the 19 cosponsors of the companion legislation in the Senate, we respectfully request that you host a formal signing ceremony in time for the 50th anniversary of her heroic act on December 1, 1955.
Largely regarded as the mother of the modern day Civil Rights movement, Mrs. Parks’ act of courage fifty years ago inspired a movement that eventually brought about laws to end segregation, ensure voting rights, end discrimination in housing, and create a greater equality throughout this nation. Moreover, it taught us all that one individual can help to change the world from the way things are to the way things ought to be. As the first African American statue placed in Statuary Hall, Mrs. Parks would continue to break down barriers in a manner consistent with how she broke down barriers during her life. With the signing of this legislation into law, we ensure that her memory is enshrined in the most hallowed halls of our government.
A formal bill signing ceremony on December 1, 2005 would send a powerful message to the country and the world about how much this nation values freedom and the fight against injustice. What better event to bring our country together than honoring this great American hero and what better way to teach future generations of Americans how they can change their country by demonstrating courage in the face of injustice?
Mr. President, we ask for your support in honoring the legacy of this graceful and courageous woman who embodies the American spirit by signing the legislation into law that would place a statue of Mrs. Parks among other great leaders that have shaped this country. We look forward to seeing you on December 1, 2005.
Thank you,
John F. Kerry
Jesse Jackson Jr.
U. S. Senator
Member of Congress
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