Congressmen introduce Black History Month measure to honor Freedom Riders

GA Reps. Johnson and Collins seek Congressional Gold Medal for civil rights ‘heroes who risked their lives to make America better’ – 136 colleagues agree.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In recognition of Black History Month, Congressmen Hank Johnson (GA-04) and Doug Collins (GA-09) introduced a bipartisan resolution this week calling on Congress to award the Freedom Riders the Congressional Gold Medal.

More than 135 members of Congress from both sides of the aisle joined Reps. Johnson and Collins to cosponsor the bill, H.R. 671.

The Freedom Rides, which lasted from May to November 1961, included more than 400 black and white Americans who risked their lives to challenge Jim Crow laws – particularly public transportation – in the South. Despite enduring vicious attacks and imprisonment for simply traveling together on buses and trains as they traveled through the Deep South, the Freedom Riders challenged bitter racism and mob violence with nonviolent activism.

“The Freedom Riders were heroes who rode buses and trains in the South to break the back of segregation,” said Johnson. “The riders – including my constituent Hank Thomas and my friend and colleague John Lewis – endured insults and beatings and risked their lives more than 50 years ago because they believed in a different future for their children and their grandchildren. I’m pleased to be working with Congressman Collins on this important recognition.”

One of three surviving original Freedom Riders Hank Thomas said: “The Freedom Rides were a seminal event in this country in the fight for equality, and human dignity. I thank Congressman Hank Johnson and my friend, Andy Young, for their efforts to get us this recognition."

Rep. Doug Collins of Gainesville: “The Freedom Riders were Americans of different backgrounds who stood up to injustice together. They broke down barriers and continue to provide our country hope that we can overcome any difficulties with a common purpose. I’m honored to lead the effort with Rep. Hank Johnson, my friend from Georgia, to honor the Freedom Riders with a Congressional Gold Medal.”

Ambassador Andrew Young, a lieutenant to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement, praised Congressman Johnson and Thomas, who are spearheading the effort to recognize the Riders.

“I want to commend Rep. Johnson and Hank Thomas for their efforts to gain recognition for these fearless American patriots – the Freedom Riders,” said Ambassador Andrew Young. “Black and white together, they sought to hold America to the true meaning of the Constitution. As much as anyone, they risked their lives to defend the promise of America.”

If approved by Congress, the Freedom Riders would receive the medal as a group and it would be displayed at the Smithsonian Museum.

Cosponsors (136), including: Reps. Van Hollen (MD), Conyers (MI), Wasserman-Schultz (FL), B. Lee (CA), Waters (CA), CBC Chair Butterfield (NC), Franks (AZ), Rohrabacher (CA) and Georgia Reps. Bishop and Scott.

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