ATLANTA (March 19, 2015) | State Senator Valencia Seay (D-Riverdale) recently sponsored Senate Resolution 453 which calls on the United States’ Congress to rename the Edmund Pettus bridge as the Edmund Pettus-John Lewis Bridge.
“The Edmund Pettus bridge, along with Selma, Alabama, have become synonymous with Civil Rights Movement,” said Sen. Seay. “As we remember the tragic events of ‘Bloody Sunday’ and the march that altered the course of history, it is only appropriate that we rename this historic bridge to include John Lewis’ name. He, along with Dr. King, was at the forefront of fighting injustice and is beyond deserving of this fitting tribute.”
A native of Troy, Ala., John Lewis now serves as the congressman to Georgia’s 5th congressional district. Rep. Lewis led hundreds of civil rights marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge and is widely acknowledged as a civil rights icon. SR 453, passed by the State Senate, urges the United States Congress to change the name of this national landmark to include the name of one of Georgia’s living legends.