GA Congressman Hank Johnson reintroduces bipartisan Freedom Riders Bill to honor civil rights heroes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (GA-04) reintroduced a resolution calling on Congress to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, a group of civil rights activists whose courageous actions in 1961 helped dismantle racial segregation in interstate travel. If approved, the medal would be awarded to the Freedom Riders as a group and displayed at the Smithsonian Museum to honor its historic contributions to the fight for equality and justice. 

On May 4, 1961, 13 young activists – known as the original Freedom Riders – departed Washington, D.C., on two buses bound for New Orleans. Their mission was to test the Supreme Court’s decision in Boynton v. Virginia (1960), which declared segregation in interstate bus travel unconstitutional. Along the way, the Freedom Riders faced brutal violence including firebombing, mob attacks, and arrests, as they sought to expose and challenge systemic racism in the South. 

The original 13 Freedom Riders included: Genevieve Hughes Houghton, Charles Person, Hank Thomas, John Lewis, Edward Blankenheim, James Farmer, Walter Bergman, Frances Bergman, Joseph Perkins, Jimmy McDonald, Mae Francis Moultrie, Benjamin Elton Cox, and Albert Bigelow. 

Among the original Freedom Riders, Henry “Hank” James Thomas, a resident of Georgia’s 4th Congressional District, stands as the last surviving member. Charles Person, an Atlanta native and the youngest of the original Freedom Riders, passed away earlier this year at the age of 82. 

“The Freedom Riders taught us that the fight for justice and equality requires courage, resilience, and unwavering determination,” said Congressman Jonson. “Their sacrifices changed the course of history, and it is our duty to preserve their legacy. I am especially proud to represent Hank Thomas, who embodies the spirit of the movement. This bill ensures their stories will continue to inspire future generations to stand up for what is right.” 

The Congressional Gold Medal, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors, has been awarded to other civil rights icons, including Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. Recognizing the Freedom Riders with this distinction will ensure their courageous stand against injustice is forever remembered. 

“Honoring the Freedom Riders is not just about preserving the past; it’s about reminding ourselves of the work that remains to achieve full equality,” Congressman Johnson added. “Their courage is a blueprint for future generations to fight again injustice. 

Cosponsors (56): Ansari (AZ), Beatty (OH), Beyer (VA), Brown (OH), Brownley (CA), Carter (LA), Carson (IN), Castor (FL), Castro (TX), Cherfilus-McCormick (FL), Clarke (NY), Clyburn (SC), Cleaver (MO), Costa (CA), Crawford (AR), Crockett (TX), Davids (KS), Davis (NC), Dean (PA), Dingell (MI), Doggett (TX), Fields (LA), Frost (FL), Green (TX), Holmes Norton (DC), Jackson (IL), Jacobs (CA), Kamlager-Dove (CA), Kelly (IL), Khanna (CA), Krishnamoorthi (IL), McBath (GA), McClellan (VA), McCollum (MN), McIver (NJ), Meeks (NY), Moore (WI), Moskowitz (FL), Neal (MA), Ocasio-Cortez (NY), Pressley (MA), Ramirez (IL), Scholten (MI), Scott (GA), Sewell (AL), Stevens (MI), Strickland (WA), Swalwell (CA), Thaneder (MI), Thompson (MS), Tlaib (MI), Tonko (NY), Torres (CA), Turner (TX), Williams (GA), Wilson (FL)

To read the resolution, click HERE.