Bipartisan Resolution Honoring the Fiftieth Anniversary of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery Marches Led by Congresswoman Beatty Introduced in House of Representatives
Bipartisan Resolution Honoring the Fiftieth Anniversary of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery Marches Led by Congresswoman Beatty Introduced in House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. – Today, a bipartisan resolution commemorating the Selma marches led by U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-3) was introduced in the House of Representatives. The resolution would call for the issuance of a postage stamp to commemorate the 1965 civil rights marches from Selma to Montgomery. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty was joined by over 102 of her colleagues as original co-sponsors of the resolution, including Congressman Bradley Byrne (AL-1), Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-7), and Congressman Will Hurd (TX-23).
"This resolution highlights a pivotal movement in America's history, the Selma Voting Rights March that brought together Americans to march from Selma to Montgomery 50 years ago. They marched with a truth—that all Americans share the same rights," said Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH-3). "Out of these efforts we passed the Voting Rights Act, a pivotal law that helped many obtain the right to vote."
March 2015 marks the fiftieth anniversary of these historical marches from Selma to Montgomery. Discrimination at the voting booths prevented the vast majority of African Americans from registering to vote. This inspired hundreds of activists, including current Congressman John Lewis (GA-5), to non-violently protest by marching from Selma, Alabama to the State Capitol in Montgomery on March 7, 1965. Their non-violent approach was abruptly halted when the protestors were attacked as they were leaving Selma. Forced to retreat by state troopers, local lawmen, and citizens equipped with clubs, whips, and tear gas, dozens of protestors were injured, and this day earned its place in history as "Bloody Sunday."
Images from this day moved a nation and mobilized a generation of activists to fight for equal rights. On March 25, 1965, beaten but undeterred, these brave foot soldiers set off from Selma, marched 54 miles over the course of five days, and successfully reached the steps of the State Capitol in Montgomery as civil rights activists united to work to secure equality for all in our nation.
"The Selma to Montgomery marches, which shaped the Civil Rights movement, represent a difficult but significant time in our nation's history," stated Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-1). "I am proud to partner with my colleagues in a bipartisan manner to ensure the 50th anniversary receives the proper recognition it deserves."
"The Edmund Pettus Bridge was the portal through which America shed its dark past and marched to a brighter future," remarked Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-7). "This bipartisan bill honors the significance of the historic Selma to Montgomery marches, and the Foot Soldiers who forced our nation to live up to its ideals of equality and justice for all Americans."
"America celebrates our heroes. These brave folks stood for what's right and changed our country for the better. This is an excellent way to recognize them," said Rep. Will Hurd (TX-23).
The resolution is being introduced just days before the annual pilgrimage to honor the marchers. From March 6th to March 8th, both Republicans and Democrats will travel to Selma to reenact the march that forever changed America for the better.
Speaking of the upcoming march Rep. JoyceBeatty (OH-3) stated, "This weekend Democrats and Republicans will march united in Selma to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights marches. It is my hope that as we remember the struggles of discrimination and inequality we will lift our hearts and unite to find bridges to restore voting rights protections, equality, and justice."
CURRENT CO-SPONSORS (117)
Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7]*
Rep. Byrne, Bradley [R-AL-1]*
Rep. Hurd, Will [R-TX-23]*
Rep. Pelosi, Nancy [D-CA-12]*
Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]*
Rep. Higgins, Brian [D-NY-26]*
Rep. Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [D-GA-2]*
Rep. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]*
Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]*
Rep. Kind, Ron [D-WI-3]*
Rep. Rangel, Charles B. [D-NY-13]*
Rep. Carson, Andre [D-IN-7]*
Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]*
Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]*
Rep. Yarmuth, John A. [D-KY-3]*
Rep. Cooper, Jim [D-TN-5]*
Rep. Fattah, Chaka [D-PA-2]*
Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-17]*
Rep. Hahn, Janice [D-CA-44]*
Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]*
Rep. Brady, Robert A. [D-PA-1]*
Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]*
Rep. Honda, Michael M. [D-CA-17]*
Rep. Payne, Donald M., Jr. [D-NJ-10]*
Rep. Becerra, Xavier [D-CA-34]*
Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9]*
Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large]*
Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22]*
Rep. Hastings, Alcee L. [D-FL-20]*
Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]*
Rep. Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL-1]*
Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-6]*
Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4]*
Rep. Conyers, John, Jr. [D-MI-13]*
Rep. Ashford, Brad [D-NE-2]*
Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]*
Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12]*
Rep. Bustos, Cheri [D-IL-17]*
Rep. Butterfield, G. K. [D-NC-1]*
Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-35]*
Rep. Ryan, Tim [D-OH-13]*
Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-13]*
Rep. Sires, Albio [D-NJ-8]*
Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-23]*
Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]*
Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13]*
Rep. Cummings, Elijah E. [D-MD-7]*
Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5]*
Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]*
Rep. Fudge, Marcia L. [D-OH-11]*
Rep. Lujan Grisham, Michelle [D-NM-1]*
Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43]*
Rep. Clay, Wm. Lacy [D-MO-1]*
Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-12]*
Rep. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM-3]*
Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37]*
Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-13]*
Rep. Walz, Timothy J. [D-MN-1]*
Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33]*
Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]*
Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-33]*
Rep. Davis, Susan A. [D-CA-53]*
Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]*
Rep. Johnson, Eddie Bernice [D-TX-30]*
Rep. Clyburn, James E. [D-SC-6]*
Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]*
Rep. Heck, Denny [D-WA-10]*
Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]*
Rep. Jeffries, Hakeem S. [D-NY-8]*
Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]*
Rep. Esty, Elizabeth H. [D-CT-5]*
Rep. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD-8]*
Rep. Pallone, Frank, Jr. [D-NJ-6]*
Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-27]*
Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]*
Rep. Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47]*
Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-17]*
Rep. Roybal-Allard, Lucille [D-CA-40]*
Rep. Clark, Katherine M. [D-MA-5]*
Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-51]*
Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]*
Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-30]*
Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]*
Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1]*
Rep. Sanchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38]*
Rep. Richmond, Cedric L. [D-LA-2]*
Rep. Edwards, Donna F. [D-MD-4]*
Rep. Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4]*
Rep. Rice, Kathleen M. [D-NY-4]*
Rep. Israel, Steve [D-NY-3]*
Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]*
Rep. Hoyer, Steny H. [D-MD-5]*
Rep. Capuano, Michael E. [D-MA-7]*
Rep. Brown, Corrine [D-FL-5]*
Rep. Lawrence, Brenda L. [D-MI-14]*
Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-3]*
Rep. Murphy, Patrick [D-FL-18]*
Rep. Renacci, James B. [R-OH-16]*
Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [D-GA-4]*
Rep. Grijalva, Raul M. [D-AZ-3]*
Rep. Ellison, Keith [D-MN-5]*
Rep. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large]*
Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]
Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14]
Rep. Takai, Mark [D-HI-1]
Rep. Levin, Sander M. [D-MI-9]
Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18]
Rep. Sanchez, Loretta [D-CA-46]
Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-5]
Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1]
Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. [D-CA-18]
Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]
Rep. Sarbanes, John P. [D-MD-3]
Rep. Price, David E. [D-NC-4]
Rep. Gutierrez, Luis V. [D-IL-4]
Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-16]
Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20]