Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07), released the following statement applauding the National Parks Service for its recent addition of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Selma to the African American Civil Rights Network (AACRN): 
 
“As Representative of America’s Civil Rights District, I have worked hard to ensure that we commemorate and preserve our historical sites as living testimonies of the Civil Rights Movement. I am beyond thrilled that the National Park Service has added the historic Tabernacle Baptist Church in Selma to the African American Civil Rights Network,” said Rep. Terri Sewell. “As the site of the first mass meeting of the 1960s Voting Rights Movement, the Tabernacle Baptist Church is truly a national treasure. It was here that the passion for voting rights and the stories of those who fought for freedom and equality found solace. This month, as we return to Selma to commemorate Bloody Sunday, we are reminded of the fertile grounds on which we walk. These sites are crucial to understanding our painful past and serve as an inspiration for our future.”
 
“We are delighted to join the African American Civil Rights Network,” said Dr. Verdell Lett-Dawson, Tabernacle Baptist Church. “So all generations will know the contributions our church has made and is making to uplift humanity."
 
The Tabernacle Baptist Church in Selma and the Glenwood Cemetery in Huntsville were among  9 other historical sites recently added to the AACRN, which encompasses properties, facilities, and interpretive programs that present a comprehensive narrative of the people, places, and events associated with the African American Civil Rights movement.
 
Ranging in location from California to Rhode Island, the AACRN has grown to include 45 properties, facilities, and programs, including 8 sites in Alabama, from the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail to the 16th Street Baptist Church. The NPS accepts applications on a rolling basis from individuals and organizations associated with the African American Civil Rights Movement. Details about the application and review process are available online.