Speaker Hastert Honors Mother of the Civil Rights Movement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 / -- House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) today released the following statement regarding the passing of civil rights legend Rosa Parks:

 

"Today, America mourns the loss of a woman who changed our nation. Like American heroes before her, she created a lasting legacy as truly the first lady of civil rights and the mother of the freedom movement.

 

"I fondly remember presenting her with the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor in June of 1999 in the United States Capitol Rotunda. At the age of 86, she stood to accept the medal and sometimes steadied herself on my arm. Rosa Parks said that her legacy of quiet strength was passing to the youth of this nation. She stood up for what was right, by refusing to physically stand up for what was wrong. Her courageous decision mobilized people around the country and launched the modern civil rights movement."