Norton to Speak at Celebration of Life and Legacy of Nelson Mandela, Tomorrow

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who was one of the four people whose visit to the South African Embassy in 1984 led to serial protest arrests and sanctions on South Africa, will speak at a ceremony celebrating of the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela on his 95th birthday, tomorrow, Thursday, July 18, 2013, at 10:00 a.m., in U.S. Capitol Visitor Center's Emancipation Hall. Norton will read from a farewell address given by Mandela in 1998. In addition to Norton, speakers will include the House and Senate leadership, several Congressional Black Caucus members and other members of Congress, as well as South African Ambassador to the United States Ebrahim Rasool.

"I did not have the imagination to dream beyond that first visit to the South African Embassy and the cascade of events that followed," said Norton. "We did not foresee the protests that produced serial arrests for months, the federal South African sanctions bill that followed, and, ultimately, the release of Mandela. Perhaps least of all did I expect to be celebrating Mandela's 95th birthday here in the Congress. His birthday is a celebration not only of a great man's life, but of his unique influence for peaceful reconciliation and governance."

Published: July 17, 2013