Congresswoman Supports Awarding of Congressional Gold Medal to Foot Soldiers who fought for Equal Voting Rights

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) released the following statement after passage of H.R. 431, a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Foot Soldiers who participated in Bloody Sunday, Turnaround Tuesday, or the final Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March in March of 1965, which was a catalyst for the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

"Words cannot describe the humility and honor with which I voted for this important legislation. These men and women sacrificed so much so that African Americans could freely experience the right to vote.

"I was proud to cosponsor this bill with one of the greatest leaders in the civil rights movement, Congressman John Lewis. It is important that we recognize those whose sacrifice is an essential part of American history.

"As we honor these Foot Soldiers with a Congressional Gold Medal, let us remember that we are still in the fight. In North Carolina, we are battling a new rollback on voters' rights. To fully honor the Foot Soldiers' sacrifice we must keep fighting and restore important protections that have been stripped from the Voting Rights Act."

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