Terri Sewell: “In continuing my commitment to honoring African Americans from Alabama during this Black History Month, today I rise to…”

“In continuing my commitment to honoring African Americans from Alabama during this Black History Month, today I rise to honor the renowned educator, pastor, and civil rights activist Reverend Dr. Frederick Douglas Reese on this occasion of Black History Month 2014. For his dedication and distinguished service to the city of Selma and the State of Alabama, I pay tribute today to the life and work of Reverend Dr. F.D. Reese. This beloved pastor and civil rights activist marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, in 1965, along with hundreds of other supporters. By the mid-1960s, Reese was president of the Dallas County Voters League and was also a local teacher who presided over the Selma Teachers Association. Discouraged by Selma's efforts to hinder voter registration for African Americans, Reverend Reese advocated that the teachers press to make sure that the students actually went to register to vote. Reese invited Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and members of the SCLC to lead Selma's voting rights protest. King's staff helped organize months of demonstrations in Selma, with Reverend Reese's assistance. Reverend Reese is a historical figure of modern history known for his support of the civil rights and voting rights movement. Reverend Reese rose to national prominence as a civil rights leader after Selma's ``Bloody Sunday.'' He later marched with Dr. King from Selma to Montgomery as an advocate of voting rights.…”