Congresswoman Barbara Lee Joins the Faith & Politics Institute's 12th Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) today announced participation in the 12th Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage from March 2 – 4. The pilgrimage of more than 20 Members of Congress, Civil Rights luminaries, and noted scholars and leaders will include events, meetings and tours in Birmingham, Selma and Montgomery, Alabama. Young people are also expected to participate in the pilgrimage, including three students from The Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center in Oakland, California: Stephanie Martinez, Jack Huang, and Deric Fuller.
“The pilgrimage includes visits to many historic places in Alabama that changed the course of history for all Americans,” said Congresswoman Lee. “I look forward to this annual pilgrimage, and the reminders of progress and the lessons of what remains to be done in the struggle for civil rights for all.”
House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) will serve as honorary co-leaders. Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-AL), Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL), and Martha Roby (R-AL) serve as honorary co-hosts. This year’s record number of participating Members of Congress will be joined by, among others, Kerry Kennedy, Ethel Kennedy, John Seigenthaler, Dr. Douglas Brinkley, Dr. Bob Zellner, Dr. Bernard Lafayette, Ms. Juanita Abernathy, Bettie Mae Fikes, Carolyn McKinstry, Dorothy Cotton and, on Saturday night of the Pilgrimage, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R-AL).
“This pilgrimage is about coming together, not as Democrats not as Republicans, but as Americans, men and women who believe somehow and some way that we can find a way to create the American community. I am honored to have Congresswoman Barbara Lee join us,” stated Civil Rights legend, Pilgrimage Chair and U.S. Congressman John Lewis (D-GA).
This three-day passage through living history demonstrates the powerful role that spirituality and courage have played in shaping our nation's history. These annual pilgrimages have afforded more than 100members of the U.S. House and Senate an experiential journey through the history of the American civil rights movement.
“Described by many participants as one of the most valuable experiences they have had while in Congress, the pilgrimages bring people together across political, religious and racial lines, offering opportunities for engaged and reflective dialogue on the value of the civil rights movement and its meaning for us today,” added FPI Senior Advisor and Interim CEO, Rev. Doug Tanner.
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Visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center online at: http://www.mlkfreedomcenter.org/
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