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WASHINGTON - This Thursday, Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) will attend the signing ceremony of his and Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.'s (D-Ill.) legislation to commemorate Rosa Parks with a statue in the United States Capitol’s famed Statuary Hall. The legislation will make Rosa Parks the first African American - and only ninth woman - to be honored in the Capitol's Statuary Hall collection.
The bill was offered several weeks ago in the Senate by Kerry and in the House of Representatives by Congressman Jackson (D-Ill.). It passed both chambers before Congress adjourned for the Thanksgiving recess.
Kerry and Jackson sent a letter to President Bush requesting he sign the bill into law by December 1 -- the 50th anniversary of Rosa Parks' courageous refusal to move to the back of the bus.
“December 1st will be a historic day for all Americans. It's the fiftieth anniversary of Rosa Parks' courageous stand on a Montgomery bus, and must be a day to reflect on all the work that remains unfinished,” Senator Kerry said. “By honoring Rosa Parks with this statue we are doing our small part to show how thankful we are for her courage which changed the heart and the laws of our nation. When Rosa Parks sat down, she stood up for civil rights for all Americans. Rosa Parks is a true American hero, and I am proud to see our legislation signed into law. No words will ever match what Rosa Parks gave to us, but this statue will commemorate her legacy and remind future generations of Americans to live by her example.”
WHAT: White House Signing of Kerry-Jackson Bill that will Commemorate Rosa Parks with a Statue in Statuary Hall
WHEN: Thursday, December 1, 2005 10:50 am
WHERE: White House
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