Congressional Members hold 50th Anniversary Ceremony at Capitol Steps
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One hundred and one Members of Congress started out the 15th annual Civil Rights Pilgrimage and came to Montgomery Sunday, which played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement.
They represent states from all over the country, including House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi.
They gathered at the Capitol steps, a place where the voting rights march ended 50 years ago this month.
Governor Robert Bentley welcomed the dignitaries to Alabama.
“We love each other, we care for each other regardless of politics, regardless of race, regardless of socio-economic status,” said Bentley.
Very moving speeches followed, including one from civil rights pioneer Ralph Abernathy’s wife.
“For 381 days, the people of this city walked so that we could get the bill past in Congress where there was no discrimination on public transportation,” said Juanita Abernathy.
And civil rights activist and Georgia Congressman John Lewis also addressed the crowd.
“As the president suggested yesterday to those who say nothing has changed, I just want to say ‘come walk in my shoes, come walk in my shoes.’ This state is a different state. It is a better state,” said Lewis.
What may have been the most powerful speech was given by former governor George Wallace’s daughter, who gave a public apology to John Lewis.
“I want to do for you what my father should have done and recognize you for your humanity and for your dignity as a child of God, as a person of goodwill and character and fellow Alabamian and say welcome home,” said Peggy Wallance Kennedy.
After the speeches at the Capitol steps, the dignitaries walked silently from Dexter Avenue up Decatur Street, past the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church to lay a wreath at the civil rights memorial as they honored the past and look with hope to the future.
