Lawmakers working to let Rosa Parks lie in state...

[ourbluenation]

Parks' refusal to give up her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Ala., in 1955 led to a 381-day boycott of the city's bus system and helped spark the modern civil rights movement. She died Monday in Detroit at age 92.
The House and Senate were expected to consider a resolution allowing her remains to lie in honor in the Rotunda on Sunday and Monday ''so that the citizens of the United States may pay their last respects to this great American,'' according to a draft of the measure from the office of Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich.
In most cases, only presidents, members of Congress and military commanders have been permitted to lie in the Rotunda.
Parks would be the first woman and second black American to receive the accolade. Jacob J. Chestnut, one of two Capitol police officers fatally shot in 1998, was the first black American to lie in honor, said Senate historian Richard Baker.
Parks also would be the second non-governmental official to be commemorated that way. The first was Pierre L'Enfant, the architect who designed Washington, D.C., who died in 1909. The most recent person to lie in repose in the Capitol was President Reagan in 2004.

Rest of article here...

http://famulus.msnbc.com/famulusgen/ap10-27-144051.asp?t=apnew&vts=102720051458

[malaise]

1. Wow

that would be nice.

[WI_DEM]

2. She deserves it

more so than Reagan.

[FreedomAngel82]

16. Oh for sure

[CatBoreal]

3. Can't think of anyone who deserves it more.

Hope it passes.

[ourbluenation]

4. write to your rep and let them know that you agree...I did!

She's was a rock star....

[CatBoreal]

23. I'm a Canuck!

Your government doesn't listen to those who live in the Great White North.

[Neecy]

5. I support this completely

Not only does she deserve the honor, but the symbolism of having a civil rights leader lie in state in the Capitol - a building built by slaves - is profound. It would be a healing gesture (if such a thing could be healed) and that's why Bush won't do it.

[ultraist]

7. I do too

In fact, just the thought of it, brings tears to my eyes. I like your description of how it would be a healing gesture and yes, Rosa Parks certainly deserves it.

It would also be an honor for women, for Rosa Parks to be the first woman to receive this accolade.

[applegrove]

6. That would be great!!! Though she strikes me as someone who would

perhaps like to be cremated in an urn when it happens.

[shadowlight]

8. Recommended so more people see this. nt

[arcos]

9. kicked and recommended nt

[Taverner]

10. Cool!

Can't think of a finer person to honor this way....

[Cooley Hurd]

11. I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to Ms. Parks!

I know they have their "rules" and "precedents," but fuck it all - Rosa DESERVES it!!!!!!:thumbsup:

On edit: Pierre L'Enfant died in 1852 and was buried in France. His remains were disinterred and brought to the US in 1909 (and subsequently buried at Arlington National Cemetery, near the Custis-Lee Mansion).

[donheld]

12. IMHO there should be some sort of memorial for this woman.

We have many memorials for men. If any woman deserves one It should be Rosa Parks.

[ninkasi]

13. She deserves to lie in state...

All of us, black and white, owe an enormous debt of gratitude to that courageous lady. For those too young to remember what the world was like in 1955, in the South, her actions required courage and determination that few people can claim to possess. Rest in Peace, Rosa Parks.

[ourbluenation]

14. write your rep and let them know...here ya go.

http://www.house.gov/writerep/

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[ourbluenation]

15. UPDATE It's a done deal...Oct 30 and 31st.

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_74900.asp

A copy of the Resolution, S Con Res 61 follows:

Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That, in recognition of the historic contributions of Rosa Parks, her remains be permitted to lie in honor in the rotunda of the Capitol from October 30 to October 31, 2005, so that the citizens of the United States may pay their last respects to this great American. The Architect of the Capitol, under the direction and supervision of the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall take all necessary steps for the accomplishment of that purpose.

[SeattleGirl]

19. That's wonderful!

She deserves the honor.

[fortyfeetunder]

21. I am speechless

for this brave woman receiving such an honor in death.

[Booster]

17. This really would be a wonderful way to express our thanks to

this great lady. I really hope they do it. If Ms. Parks doesn't deserve it, nobody deserves it.

[eppur_se_muova]

18. After all these years, my mother told me...

that when she moved to the South back in the 50's, when she got on a crowded bus in Birmingham, the driver got up, walked back to a sign saying "white only", pulled it up, moved it back one row, and all the Blacks sitting in that row had to move back, even though there were already a lot of people standing in back. No matter how crowded it was, they had to give up their seats to any white person who got on the bus. She was mortified that they would do that, but she had been raised to think that nice women didn't raise a fuss (she's been cured of that since, thoroughly), so she quietly took her seat, painfully consious of how much resentment that caused.

Of course, I had always known about segregated buses, but had never pictured the mechanics of how it was done. Having to think about it that way gives it a reality like no other, for someone who didn't live through it. Black riders had to climb up the steps in front to pay the driver, then climb back down, and re-enter through the rear door. The bus seats had a hole cut near one end to hold the sign. I hope some of those seats and signs are sitting in museums today. If we don't show these things to our children, they won't believe us when we try to tell them that things were ever like that.

[LynneSin]

20. Wow, I might have to come down for that one

After Reagan 3-ring circus it's nice to see someone who made a positive difference in the nation get respect

[arcos]

22. kick nt