U.S. House of Representatives Unanimously Passes a Bi-Partisan Resolution Commemorating the Historic Selma to Montgomery Marches of 1965

Sponsored by Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell and Congresswoman Martha Roby

WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bi-partisan House resolution commemorating the historic Selma to Montgomery marches of 1965. Sponsored by Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (AL-07) and Congresswoman Martha Roby (AL-02), the resolution directs the Office of the Historian of the United States House of Representatives to compile oral histories from current and former Members of Congress involved in the historic Selma to Montgomery marches as well as the Civil Rights movement. These documents will be used for the purposes of expanding and augmenting the historic record for public dissemination and education.

“We are preserving a significant part of the legacy of this time in American history by documenting the collective stories and experiences of Members of Congress who were instrumental in the fight for Civil Rights,” said Rep. Sewell. “It is such an honor to introduce this resolution commemorating the historic events that took place in Birmingham, Selma and Montgomery. As a Selma native, it is a full circle moment for me to represent the 7th Congressional District of Alabama that embodies this rich history.  I look forward to the collection of these oral histories that will preserve such a transformative period in American history,” added Rep. Sewell.

“Without the brave and courageous souls who shed blood, sweat and tears in Alabama and throughout the South, this would be a very different nation today,” said Rep. John Lewis. “It is very important that members of Congress understand and acknowledge the debt we owe to ordinary people with extraordinary vision who, as Dr. King once said, ‘injected new meaning into the very veins of our democracy.”

The resolution, H.RES. 562, passed unanimously by the House of Representatives today.

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Contact: Breelyn Pete; Breelyn.pete@mail.house.gov; 202.225.2665