RELEASE: KHANNA INTRODUCES BILL IN HONOR OF THE LATE REV. JAMES LAWSON

Washington, DC – Rep. Khanna (CA-17) along with Reps. Steve Cohen (TN-09), James Clyburn (SC-06), and Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05) reintroduced legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to civil rights icon Reverend James Lawson, who passed away earlier this month. Rep. Khanna plans to reintroduce this bill every Congress until it is passed.

Rev. Lawson is recognized as being among the most consequential leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. He spent three years in India and studied Gandhi's strategy of nonviolence before returning to the United States to become a leader in the Civil Rights movement. Called the "architect of the Civil Rights movement" by Rep. John Lewis, Lawson trained many civil rights activists including the Little Rock Nine and organized campaigns including the Freedom Riders and the Nashville lunch counter sit-ins.

Rev. Lawson was a founding Member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the southern secretary for the Fellowship of Reconciliation, and an advisor to Dr. King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Dr. King called Lawson the "leading theorist and strategist of nonviolence in the world." Lawson remained active in civil rights and economic justice campaigns throughout his life, including the fight for a living wage.

Representative Khanna’s commitment to human rights was also inspired by Gandhi and India’s independence movement. Khanna's grandfather, Amaranth Vidyalankar, was imprisoned alongside Gandhi for outspoken support of the independence movement.

“I am honored to sponsor this legislation recognizing the remarkable advocacy of Reverend Lawson. Lawson shared the lessons of nonviolence he learned studying Ghandi's philosophy with countless Civil Rights organizers, catalyzing the movement’s use of nonviolent resistance.” said Rep. Khanna. “The teachings of Lawson and Ghandi demonstrate the interconnected nature of the struggles of oppressed people around the world and across generations. I will be forever grateful to the Reverend enough for the impact his word has had on our country.”

“I am pleased to join this effort to honor the life and legacy of Reverend James Lawson, Jr.” said Congressman Clyburn. “Reverend Lawson, Jr. was a steadfast advocate and mentor for those of us who became a part of the nonviolence movement, and his teachings continue to inspire me in my work to create a more perfect Union. The Congressional Gold Medal would be a fitting recognition for his iconic leadership and noble sacrifice.”

“Reverend Lawson was an instrumental force in changing America for the better,” said Congressman Cohen. “He originated with Dr. King the idea of nonviolence as a tool for the Civil Rights Movement. He traveled to India to study the practices of Gandhi that led to India’s independence. He was directly involved in the civil rights struggles in Nashville and Memphis, and after those struggles he continued to speak against injustices everywhere, and advocated for peace in Vietnam and other places. His was a life well lived.”

Endorsing organizations include: NAACP, AFSCME, United Methodist Church - General Board of Church and Society.

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Congressman Khanna represents the 17th District of California, which covers communities in Silicon Valley. Visit his website at khanna.house.gov. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @RepRoKhanna.