John Lewis to Receive Liberty Medal for Civil Rights Work

[BumRushDaShow]

Last edited Thu Jun 2, 2016, 06:18 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: ABC News / AP

U.S. Rep. John Lewis will be honored with Philadelphia's Liberty Medal for his dedication to civil rights.

In announcing the award Thursday, National Constitution Center CEO Jeffrey Rosen says Lewis's leadership "helped to extend the blessings of liberty and equality to all Americans."

Lewis, a civil rights veteran repeatedly threatened with violence while working for voting rights in the Jim Crow South, was a King lieutenant and the youngest speaker at the 1963 March on Washington. He has represented Georgia in the U.S. House since 1987. He'll be presented with the award in a Sept. 19 ceremony.

The medal is given annually to those who strive to secure liberty for people worldwide.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/john-lewis-receive-liberty-medal-civil-rights-work-39560989

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This is a big thing here in Philly. Congratulations to the Congressman! Well deserved!

I remember when Nelson Mandela received his here (and we got to see him at an event later that evening). They used to present it on July 4th but moved it to September (closer to Constitution Day, which is September 17), plus it is a tad cooler in September vs July.

Edit to add an additional link with info - http://constitutioncenter.org/liberty-medal/john-lewis-biography

The selection of Representative Lewis comes as the National Constitution Center commemorates the 150th anniversaries of the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments, a series of constitutional amendments known as the Reconstruction Amendments.

“Through his heroic leadership on behalf of civil rights and the Constitution, Representative Lewis has helped to extend the blessings of liberty and equality to all Americans. Under his leadership, the Civil Rights Movement helped this nation move toward the creation of the ‘more perfect union’ promised by President Lincoln at Gettysburg,” said Jeffrey Rosen, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, adding, “As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees the equal protection of the laws, the National Constitution Center is thrilled to honor Representative Lewis with the 2016 Liberty Medal.”

“Representative Lewis is an inspiration to people all over the world,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “On behalf of the City of Philadelphia, I am thrilled to welcome him back to our city and to help showcase his achievements with the Liberty Medal.”

Representative Lewis is the only surviving “Big Six” leader of the Civil Rights Movement, a group of prominent civil rights leaders which included Martin Luther King, Jr., James Farmer, A. Philip Randolph, Roy Wilkins, and Whitney Young.

[tonyt53]

1. He is deserving!

[lunamagica]

2. Congratulations to Congressman Lewis, a true hero!

[sheshe2]

3. Excellent choice.

Congratulations to John Lewis.

Thanks for this, BRDS.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. Hey she

Glad to oblige. Heard it on our local news radio station here and was pleasantly surprised! Definitely a good choice and definitely a perfect symbolic one given the amendment anniversaries.

[Blue_Tires]

4. k+r

[Surya Gayatri]

5. Enormous K & R. Thanks for posting.

[Judi Lynn]

6. He puts politicians to shame. He is courageous, committed. He deserves great respect. n/t

[Mark 750]

7. Man of courage

Congrats!

[riversedge]

9. Deserves a BIG REC

[LenaBaby61]

10. Well deserved....

Profile in courage:



John Lewis.

[Hekate]

11. Well deserved. Never forget the sacrifices these heroes made.

[Starry Messenger]

12. K&R