JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi’s congressional delegation is urging President Joe Biden to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously to civil rights chief Medgar Wiley Evers.
U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith, and U.S. Reps. Bennie Thompson, Trent Kelly, Michael Visitor and Mike Ezell on Tuesday despatched a letter to Biden encouraging him to bestow the respect on Evers.
Evers was assassinated outdoors his residence in Jackson, Mississippi, on June 12, 1963, on account of his work to advertise racial equality, voting rights and social justice.
“Mr. Evers devoted his life to the protection of civil rights in Mississippi and the US,” the legislators wrote. “His sacrifice conjures up Individuals to this present day, and he furthered the reason for freedom for all humankind.”
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the very best U.S. civilian honor awarded to people who’ve made “an particularly meritorious contribution to the safety or nationwide pursuits of the US, world peace, cultural or different vital public or personal endeavors.” Awardees are chosen by the president.
President Harry S. Truman chosen the primary Medal of Freedom recipient in 1946.
There was no quick phrase on when or if Biden would reply to the request.
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