Lowery Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom

 

ATLANTA, GA, August 17, 2009 – The Southern Christian Leadership Conference is honored to formally congratulate its Co-Founder & Former President, Reverend Joseph E. Lowery for receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Reverend Lowery received this honor from President Barack Obama on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at the White House.

 

Lowery, described as “a giant of the Moses generation of civil rights leaders,” by President Barrack Obama, served from 1977 to 1997 as the SCLC’s third president. He was preceded by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rev. Ralph D. Abernathy.

 

As a civil rights icon who marched alongside Dr. King, the SCLC’s Interim President, Dr. Byron Clay stated, “We congratulate Rev. Lowery for he is a man of honor, integrity, commitment and great courage. He’s played a pivotal role in improving the quality of life to all Americans not only those of color.”  The SCLC Chairman of Board, Rev. Raleigh Trammell  went on to say, "I don't know anyone more deserving of this honor.  Rev. Lowery  served the SCLC longer than any (SCLC) president. All the SCLC has been and ever will  be is because of the direct works of this great man." 

 

Reverend Joseph E. Lowery, the “Dean of the Civil Rights Movement” has received several other awards which include the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Martin Luther King Jr. Center Peace Award and the National Urban League's, Whitney M. Young, Jr., Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.  Ebony Magazine has named him one of the 15 greatest black preachers, describing him as, "the consummate voice of biblical social relevancy, a focused voice, speaking truth to power.”

 

Lowery has also received several honorary doctorates from colleges and universities including, Dillard University, Morehouse College, Alabama State University. He was given the Fred L. Shuttlesworth, also a former SCLC President, Human Rights Award by the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.  In 2008 at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's 50th Annual National Convention, the Rev. Joseph E. Lowery Award was named in his honor.

 

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