Rep Deutch cosponsors bill Awarding a Congressional Gold Medal to Voting Rights Activists

Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-21) joined Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-7) and a bipartisan group of over 300 Members of Congress to introduce H.R. 431, directing the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to present a gold medal on behalf of Congress to the Foot Soldiers who participated in Bloody Sunday, Turnaround Tuesday, or the final Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March of 1965. The bill passed both the House and the Senate and was signed into law by President Obama on March 7, 2015.

By passing H.R. 431, Congress recognized the significance of the events that served as a catalyst for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Thousands of civil rights activists participated in peaceful protests to secure one of the most fundamental rights shared by Americans.  Congress awarded these activists a gold medal, which is Congress’s highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals.

A copy of H.R. 431 is available here.