RELEASE: REP. KHANNA INTRODUCES CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL LEGISLATION TO HONOR CIVIL RIGHTS ICON DR. JAMES LAWSON
Washington, DC – Rep. Khanna, with more than two dozen cosponsors, introduced today legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to civil rights icon Reverend James Lawson, who celebrated his 90th birthday this year.
Reverend Lawson joined the sponsors and others including Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer for a reception on Capitol Hill today to honor his work and announce introduction of the legislation, which Rep. Khanna and the cosponsors plan to reintroduce in every Congress until it is passed.
Lawson is recognized as among the most consequential leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. Lawson spent three years in India as a missionary 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.
Additionally, 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. Dr. King called Lawson the "leading theorist and strategist of nonviolence in the world." Lawson continues to be active in civil rights and economic justice campaigns today, including the fight for a living wage.
Khanna's grandfather, Amaranth Vidyalankar, was imprisoned alongside Gandhi during India's independence movement that inspired Khanna's commitment to human rights. Both Rev. Lawson and Dr. King were influenced by Gandhi's approach to nonviolence in advancing equality.
"It is my great honor to sponsor this legislation to recognize the invaluable contributions that Reverend Lawson made, and continues to make, towards civil rights and social justice in this country. The lessons he brought from Gandhi's nonviolent movement not only strengthened the Civil Rights movement here in America but demonstrated the interconnected nature of the struggles of oppressed people around the world. The teachings of Lawson and Gandhi must continue to guide the work of social justice advocates today," said Rep. Khanna. "I will work to ensure that we pass this much deserved recognition to one of our country's great champions for justice, Reverend James Lawson."
"In these troubling times, Reverend James Lawson's nonviolent teachings are more important than ever. All of us can learn from Reverend Lawson's work to combat racism, stop senseless wars, and end the scourge of poverty. His unwavering dedication to the civil rights movement -- and the principles of equality, justice and peace - has built a better nation for people across the country. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill to honor him with a Congressional Gold Medal," said Rep. Barbara Lee.
"As a founding Member of SNCC, I'm pleased to add my voice of support for this long overdue Congressional recognition of the many contributions and accomplishments of Reverend James Lawson in the struggle against oppression and segregation in America. His impact has been felt around the world, and I urge my colleagues in Congress to pass this legislation without delay," said Rep. Clyburn.
"Rev. James Lawson is one of the most influential African Americans of the 20th century. His non-violent stance influenced the direction of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and placed his fingerprints on every major civil rights victory. I can't think of anyone more deserving of this honor," said Rep. Cleaver.
"Reverend James Lawson is a national hero and an international icon for the fight for freedoms and liberties of oppressed peoples throughout the world. A teacher of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I cannot think of one person in this country that is more deserving of the Congressional Gold Medal than he is. He's a mentor and a teacher for myself and hundreds of other activists in Los Angeles and throughout the world. I'm so proud to support this piece of legislation," said Rep. Bass.
"I join Pennsylvanians and all Americans in honoring Pennsylvania-born Rev. Lawson for his sacrifices and courage in the civil rights movement and his activism that continues to this day. We are all better off because of his work," said Rep. Dwight Evans.
"After millions of Americans exercised their right to vote last week, it is crucial that we acknowledge the role played by our country's civil rights leaders in guaranteeing every American the right to vote. Rev. James Lawson is an American hero for risking his life so people like me could vote in elections and one day run for office. I am grateful to Rev. Lawson for his profound service to our nation, and I, personally, am proud to sign my name to legislation that awards him with the highest honor the United States Congress has to offer: the Congressional Gold Medal," said Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson.
"Rev. Lawson life's work truly shows his commitment to the Civil Rights of marginalized populations, especially during the Civil Rights Movement. As a student of Gandhi's nonviolent movement, he was one of the most consequential leaders of his era. Through his work as a strategist and advisor to Dr. King and his continued fight for economic justice and civil rights, his impact has been felt in every corner of the country and deserves to be honored with the Congressional Gold Medal," said Rep. Meek.
The text of the resolution can be found here.
Original cosponsors: Rep. Nanette Barragan (CA-44), Rep. Karen Bass (CA-37), Rep. Robert A. Brady (PA-1), Rep. André Carson (IN-7), Rep. Katherine Clark (MA-5), Rep. Yvette Clarke (NY-9), Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (MO-5), Rep. James E. Clyburn (SC-6), Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-9), Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (MD-7), Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Rep. Dwight Evans (PA-2), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-7), Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30), Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-4), Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-13), Rep. John Lewis (GA-5), Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA-16), Rep. Gregory Meeks (NY-6), Rep. Gwen S. Moore (WI-4), Rep. Seth Moulton (MA-06), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Rep. Tim Ryan (OH-13), Rep. Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24), Rep. Bennie Thompson (MS-2)
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About the Office
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 and Twitter @RepRoKhanna.
Khanna Press Office: 202-225-2631