Norton to Speak at Funeral Service for Marion Barry, Tomorrow

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced today that the Congresswoman will speak at the funeral of former District of Columbia mayor Marion Barry Jr., tomorrow, December 6, 2014. The service will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt. Vernon Place NW.

Barry, much like Norton, had his roots in the civil rights movement before coming to the nation's capital. Norton met Barry while they were both in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), before she became a member of Congress and worked with Barry during two of his four terms as mayor. Norton has been asked to speak about the influence of civil rights on his life.

"I have always understood that Marion's decision to join the civil rights movement was a shaping moment in his life," said Norton. "I will be pleased and honored to speak about this aspect of the man I have known for so long."