Terri Sewell: “As the Representative of Alabama's Seventh Congressional District and a Selma native, I am proud and humbled that I…”

“As the Representative of Alabama's Seventh Congressional District and a Selma native, I am proud and humbled that I could introduce this bipartisan resolution with my colleague, friend, and fellow Alabamian, Representative Martha Roby. Acknowledging the historic significance of the Selma to Montgomery marches by adding the voices of Members of Congress, current and former, to the history of the civil rights movement, we are preserving an important part of the legacy that is the civil rights movement, a legacy that is important not only to black history but to American history and, thus, to world history. It is truly a full circle moment for me. Personally, I stand here today before this august congressional body as a Member of Congress and a native of Selma, Alabama. I ask my colleagues to support House Resolution 562. I am humbled because I know that my election last year would not have been possible had it not been for the courage of Members of Congress, present and former, like Congressman John Lewis. For that, I say thank you. This resolution directs the House Office of Historian to compile oral histories from current and former Members of Congress involved in the monumental Selma to Montgomery marches as well as the civil rights movement. These documents will be used for the purpose of extending and augmenting the historical record for public dissemination and education. The historical accounts of current and former Members of Congress are living history.…”