Congressman Al Green Supports H.R. 360, Posthumously Awarding the Victims of the Sixteenth St. Baptist Church Bombing with Congressional Gold Medals

(Washington, DC)--On April 26, 2013, Congressman Al Green offered the following statement in the Congressional Record in support of H.R. 360. to posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley: victims of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Bombing.

"Mr. Speaker, I stand in solidarity with my colleagues in the commemoration of the 50^th anniversary of the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.  On that Sunday morning of September 15, 1963, twenty-two people were wounded and four young African American girls, Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, as well as Denise McNair lost their lives in an act of racial hatred.

"The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church was a prime target because of its landmark status in the Civil Rights Movement, having hosted civil rights leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. However, these individuals, who sought to strike fear in the hearts of those fighting for civil and human rights, undoubtedly failed. The bombing of these innocent individuals seeking to find solace in their spiritual faith redoubled the ardor of those fighting against racial prejudice and for equality.

"Having been born into segregation, I know the sting of invidious discrimination. Nevertheless, it is heartening to see that all these years later we have made much positive progress toward equality as evidenced by the election of President Barack Obama and my own election to Congress. Notwithstanding the many strides toward freedom, the righteous struggle against hatred in all its forms continues. Let us today reaffirm our abiding commitment for human and civil rights for all.

"In closing, Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly endorse and support H.R. 360, which posthumously awards Congressional Gold Medals to Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley, in recognition of the 50th commemoration of the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church."