Mississippi’s congressional delegation seeks Presidential Medal of Freedom for Medgar Evers

2024-12-25 22:38:01 source:lotradecoin comparison category:News

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi’s congressional delegation is urging President Joe Biden to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously to civil rights leader Medgar Wiley Evers.

U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith, and U.S. Reps. Bennie Thompson, Trent Kelly, Michael Guest and Mike Ezell on Tuesday sent a letter to Biden encouraging him to bestow the honor on Evers. He was assassinated outside his home in Jackson, Mississippi, on June 12, 1963, as a result of his work to promote racial equality, voting rights and social justice.

“Mr. Evers dedicated his life to the defense of civil rights in Mississippi and the United States,” the legislators wrote. “His sacrifice inspires Americans to this day, and he furthered the cause of freedom for all humankind.”

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest U.S. civilian honor awarded to individuals who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.” Awardees are selected by the president.

President Harry S. Truman selected the first Medal of Freedom recipient in 1946.

There was no immediate word on when or if Biden would respond to the request.

More:News

Recommend

Travis Kelce Praises Taylor Swift For Making Eras Tour "Best In The World"

Travis Kelce is screaming long live over all the magic Taylor Swiftmade on the Eras Tour.  After the

Shohei Ohtani back in Anaheim: Dodgers star chases 50-50 before first postseason trip

PHOENIX — Shohei Ohtani’s life is dramatically different since he changed uniforms, putting up histo

Murder on Music Row: Could Kevin Hughes death be mistaken identity over a spurned lover?

This is the fifth in an eight-part series exploring the 1989 murder of Kevin Hughes, a country music