By Blake Deshazo

The Selma Times-Journal 

The United States Congress could soon recognize more than 8,000 Foot Soldiers that marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in the three historic Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965 that helped change the course of history.

Congresswoman Terri Sewell and Congresswoman Martha Roby introduced a bill Wednesday to Congress. The bill’s purpose is to honor the marchers with a Congressional Gold Medal for helping change the nation by marching from Selma to Montgomery 50 years ago.

Sewell said the courage and bravery of the Foot Soldiers helped make the U.S. a more just and democratic nation, and she wanted to make sure they were recognized for that.

“We cannot appreciate how far we have come without acknowledging from where we came,” Sewell said. This bill will bestow Congress’ highest civilian honor to the Foot Soldiers who marched in Bloody Sunday, Turnaround Tuesday, or the final Selma to Montgomery March in 1965.”

The marches, Sewell said, were a catalyst to the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

“I want this medal to serve as a compelling reminder of the sacrifices made by these Foot Soldiers so that all Americans may enjoy fundamental rights granted to all of us by the Constitution,” Sewell said.

The bill’s co-sponsor, Congresswoman Martha Roby, said she is proud of the bill, which comes a little over a month until the 50th anniversary in March.

“I am proud to co-sponsor this bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the brave men and women whose march for justice changed not just Alabama, but America and the world,” Roby said.

“As this year marks the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, it is such a fitting time to honor the legacy of the brave individuals who, against brutality and oppression, took a stand for their God-given rights.”

The first Congressional Medal of Honor was awarded to our country’s first president and Revolutionary War Gen.. George Washington in 1776 by the second Continental Congress.