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A remarkable day....
Nov. 20th, 2013 02:53 pmAs I write this Gov. Quinn is in the act of signing the marriage equality bill into law, making Illinois the 16th state to do so. (16 down, 34 to go!)
This morning marked the 50th anniversary of JFK signing the bill that authorized the issuing of the highest civilian honor the US grants, the medal of freedom. It was awarded to 16 people today, one of whom was a personal hero to me - Bayard Rustin.
Rustin was an African-American labor organizer and civil rights activist, a birth-right Philadelphia Quaker, a pacifist and openly gay. He is credited with influencing Martin Luther King towards a path of non-violent resistance and was personally responsible for organizing the 1963 March on Washington, where Dr King delivered his "I have a Dream" speech. The medal was also awarded to Dr. Sally Ride, the first American woman to journey into space. Both of these medals were awarded posthumously, each accepted by winner's surviving partner.
This morning marked the 50th anniversary of JFK signing the bill that authorized the issuing of the highest civilian honor the US grants, the medal of freedom. It was awarded to 16 people today, one of whom was a personal hero to me - Bayard Rustin.
Rustin was an African-American labor organizer and civil rights activist, a birth-right Philadelphia Quaker, a pacifist and openly gay. He is credited with influencing Martin Luther King towards a path of non-violent resistance and was personally responsible for organizing the 1963 March on Washington, where Dr King delivered his "I have a Dream" speech. The medal was also awarded to Dr. Sally Ride, the first American woman to journey into space. Both of these medals were awarded posthumously, each accepted by winner's surviving partner.
