Political Quotes

“I rise today to recognize the late civil rights leader, Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth, who passed away earlier this month. From his humble beginnings in Mount Meigs, AL, he grew to become one of the most influential leaders in the battle for civil rights. Reverend Shuttlesworth was best known as cofounder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which was formed in response to the Montgomery bus boycott, and for the role he played in the sit- ins of lunch counters in 1960 and the Freedom Rides of 1961. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. considered Reverend Shuttlesworth one of the Nation's most courageous freedom fighters. Reverend Shuttlesworth was beaten, assaulted, jailed, and had his home bombed because of his outspoken views and his fight for racial equality. In 1953, he became the presiding pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL. He continued his call to preach in Cincinnati, OH, from 1961-1966 where he pastored the Revelation Baptist Church. Reverend Shuttlesworth remained in Cincinnati during his latter years and returned to Birmingham after his retirement in 2007. During that time, he continued his fight for racial equality and became a strong advocate for the homeless. Although Reverend Shuttlesworth is no longer with us, his contributions to our Nation will not be forgotten. ____________________”