Terri Sewell calls for Rosa Parks Day to be federal holiday

Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) released a message on Monday commemorating the 70th anniversary of the arrest of Rosa Parks and called for the day to be designated a federal holiday. 

She is the lead sponsor of HR 964, titled Rosa Parks Day. 

Sewell released the following statement urging for its passage: 

Hi, it’s Congresswoman Terri Sewell of Alabama’s 7th Congressional District. Today marks 70 years since the historic arrest of Rosa Parks in Montgomery, Alabama.

Rosa Parks’ legacy is one of remarkable bravery and moral fortitude. By simply refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus, she took a stand for the values that this nation holds dear. Her quiet, dignified courage set the stage for the historic Montgomery Bus Boycott and galvanized a movement that changed our nation forever.

That’s why I am proud to be leading legislation in Congress to designate today, December 1st, as a new federal holiday commemorating her historic arrest.

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Doing so will ensure that her courage lives on in American history forever. Moreover, it will become the first federal holiday to honor a woman.

This bill is especially important given the attacks of the Trump Administration on our history. In times like these, it is especially important for us to tell our stories and to recognize the contributions of amazing African American leaders like Rosa Parks. Her legacy is proud Alabama history—proud American history—and it should always remain that way.

Each year, Rosa Parks Day will serve as a reminder of the power of ordinary Americans to achieve extraordinary social change. And each year, Americans—young and old—can draw inspiration from her legacy in the continued struggle for equality and justice.

As Alabama’s first Black Congresswoman, I know that I stand on the shoulders of amazing freedom fighters like Rosa Parks who were unafraid to challenge the status quo. I can think of no one more befitting to honor with a new federal holiday than Rosa Parks.

On the 70th anniversary of her arrest, let’s ensure that the legacy of Rosa Parks is never forgotten or erased. Let’s make history one more time by passing the Rosa Park Day Act.