Norton, Congressional & D.C. Leaders Honor African American Pioneer, Vote Supporter - 2/12/2007

Norton, Congressional Leaders and the District Honor Sen. Brooke, D.C. Native, African American Pioneer, D.C. Vote Supporter
February 12, 2007


Washington, DC-- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), other members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation and leaders of the House and Senate today announced that they are introducing a bill for Congress to award former Massachusetts Senator Edward Brooke, a native Washingtonian and the first popularly elected African American U.S. senator, the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor awarded by Congress.

Also on Monday as part of the “Campaign for the D.C. House Vote Now,” Mayor Adrian Fenty presented Brooke with the Key to the City for his contributions to the District, including his vocal support of D.C. voting rights. Norton said that Brooke, who lives in Florida, has given his active support and help in moving the House vote bill and getting it enacted early in this session.

Brooke, a graduate of Dunbar High School and Howard University, is in the District for a series of book signings and events to promote his autobiography, “Bridging the Divide: My Life.” His appearances included a taping last Friday for “Book TV” on C-SPAN, on which Norton interviewed the former senator for broadcast next month. Earlier, Norton said, “I am excited about interviewing a national pioneer and hometown hero, and hope to give viewers insight into his groundbreaking achievements, not only as the first popularly elected African American senator, but also as a man who broke through numerous racial barriers to provide enduring service to the nation.”

The Congressional Gold Medal initially was bestowed on military leaders when it was started in 1776. Since then the medal also has been given to Sir Winston Churchill and Tony Blair; civil rights leaders Martin Luther King, Jr., Dorothy Height and Rosa Parks; actors Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra; humanitarians Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa; and athletes Joe Louis and Jackie Robinson, among others.