Washington, DC — Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) joined Birmingham Mayor William Bell to hold a press conference on the 50th commemoration of the important role that the city of Birmingham played in the Civil Rights Movement.  Congresswoman Sewell announced at the press conference that she and Congressman Spencer Bachus plan to introduce a bill to bestow a Congressional Gold Medal to the four little black girls who were victims of the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in 1963.

“I was honored to join Mayor Bell today.  We have declared 2013 as the Year of Birmingham to honor the historic events that occurred in our city during 1963.  The eyes of the world were focused on Birmingham in 1963 as the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church showed the injustices that sparked the Civil Rights Movement.  Out of our painful history came a movement that changed this nation and impacted the world.  Today we acknowledge our role in history and the great progress Birmingham has made to become the strong, vibrant and diverse city it is today.

I am delighted to announce that my colleague Congressman Spencer Bachus and I plan to ask the United States Congress to bestow its highest civilian honor—the Congressional Gold Medal—to the four little girls who tragically lost their lives during the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. We believe it is befitting that during the year 2013, that Congress pays tribute to the life and legacy of Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, and Denise McNair who paid the ultimate sacrifice for this nation’s quest for freedom and equality for all.  I look forward to introducing this bill and working with Congressman Bachus and the entire Alabama delegation to get this important recognition.” 

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Contact: Rob NeSmith;        rob.nesmith@mail.house.gov;         202.225.2665