Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) releases the following statement regarding the dedication of the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.

 “Birmingham was the epicenter of America’s civil rights movement, and the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument recognizes the remarkable contributions made by the foot soldiers and leaders of the movement,” said Rep. Sewell. “We can never repay the debts we owe to those who fought, bled, and died to secure the blessings of liberty, equality, and justice for all Americans during the struggle for civil and voting rights. The Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument will help preserve their stories for future generations. I am thrilled at the investments the National Park Service is making in Birmingham as part of the national commitment to protecting the legacy of our nation’s civil rights heroes.”

Since 2015, Congresswoman Sewell has worked to bring stakeholders and federal policymakers together in Birmingham in support of creating the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. In 2016, Congresswoman Sewell introduced legislation, supported by the entire Alabama congressional delegation, urging creation of a national civil rights monument in Birmingham. Later that year, Congresswoman Sewell and Birmingham Mayor William Bell hosted Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis for a tour of Birmingham historical sites and a public meeting with the Birmingham community. These efforts culminated in the decision by President Barack Obama on January 12, 2017, to exercise his authority under the Antiquity Act to establish the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.

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_{Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama’s 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and  Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.}