Members of Congress explore how we got where we are today
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Since 1998, The Faith & Politics Institute has led eight bipartisan Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimages to Alabama, affording more than 125 members of the U.S. House and Senate an experiential journey through the history of the U.S. Civil Rights movement. Described by some 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.
Reps. John Lewis (D-Ga.), Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.), and Artus Davis (D-Ala.) will host the 9th Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage the weekend of March 6-8, 2009. Honorary co-leaders will be Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). The delegation will include 30 members of Congress, their guests, religious leaders, civil rights luminaries, journalists, major donors, and FPI staff and board members. As in past years, the delegation will visit sites in Birmingham, Montgomery and Selma with civil rights leaders and historians such as Bernard Lafayette, Dorothy Cotton, Harris Wofford, Bettie Mae Fikes and others. Also joining us this year will be Elwin Wilson of Rock Hill, S.C., the former Klan member who recently apologized to Rep. John Lewis for beating him during the Freedom Rides. A new portion of the program will focus on the Jewish contribution to the civil rights movement. Media availabilities will take place in Birmingham on Friday, March 6th and Montgomery on Saturday, March 7th.
Through the voices of these leaders, we will rediscover moments that reverberated around the world and changed forever the cultural consciousness of America. We will explore civil rights sites not only in an effort to bring history alive, but more importantly to stress that the civil rights movement was a beginning rather than an end. These models of political and spiritual leadership, born out of the movement, serve today as beacons of courageous service to the nation and to the world.
Objectives for the pilgrimage include:
- Highlighting the civil rights movement not as an end in itself, but as a beginning point towards a greater America
- Increasing understanding of the interfaith cooperation stemming from Jewish involvement in the civil rights movement
- Equipping members of Congress to better serve the American people
- Enhancing appreciation of our diverse democracy
- Dramatizing the roll that spirituality and courage played in shaping our nation
Join us on the journey as those who led the civil rights movement work with members of Congress in our common quest to advance reflective leadership and bridge divides that arise in our thriving democracy.
Contact: Caitlin Jacobs
202-546-1299 / 202-306-3052 / caitlin@faithandpolitics.org
SOURCE The Faith and Politics Institute
