WASHINGTON — An African-American Alabama Baptist minister who took part in the historic civil rights marches in Selma has been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of all the “foot soldiers” for voting rights.
Frederick D. Reese said at the U.S. Capitol ceremony Feb. 24 that God enabled the civil rights leaders to endure the beatings they faced as they worked for passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
“Had it not been for the Lord on our side, we would have perished by the way,” said Reese, 86, who recently retired after more than 50 years as a pastor. He was leader of the Dallas County Voters League that invited Martin Luther King Jr. to Selma.
The Alabama delegation of Congress had called for civil rights workers to receive the medal, such as Reese and fellow foot soldier John Lewis, a U.S. Representative from Georgia.
Alabama Rep. Terri Sewell said in a statement, “[Reese’s] acceptance of this Congressional Gold Medal is emblematic of everyone who marched, prayed and died in the pursuit of civil and voting rights in America.”
(RNS)
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