Statement from Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell On the Unveiling of the Statue of Rosa Parks in the U.S. Capitol

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (AL-07) released the following statement on the ceremonial unveiling of the statue of Rosa Parks in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol set to take place tomorrow at 11 am EST:

“I am honored to be a Member of Congress on the special occasion of the unveiling of the statute of Alabama native and civil rights heroine Rosa Parks.  Now when visitors walk through Statuary Hall in our nation’s Capitol, there will be a visible reminder of the important contributions that African Americans and Alabamians made to the advancement of equality in America.

I believe it is befitting that Rosa Parks will be the first full size statue of an African American in the U.S. Capitol.  After all, Rosa Parks sat, so that this nation could stand up for the values that our democracy holds so dear.  It is equally poignant that her statue is placed in Statuary Hall where the U.S. House of Representatives first met for over 50 years and so many great civil rights debates took place.  I am proud that an Alabamian will have such a distinction and that our nation would honor the contributions of Rosa Parks in such a powerful way.”

The statue of Rosa Parks will be the first full-size statue of an African American in the Capitol collection of more than 180 statues. There are also busts of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Sojourner Truth.