Congressman Bennie G. Thompson Commends the President’s Honoring of Mississippi Native Fannie Lou Hamer with the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Washington, D.C. - Today, President Joseph R. Biden will honor posthumously civil rights leader, women's rights activist, community organizer, and Mississippi's Second Congressional District native Fannie Lou Hamer with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The award will be presented at The White House at 1:00 p.m. EST/ 12:00 p.m. CST.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

"The Presidential Medal of Freedom is a testament to Fannie Lou Hamer's enduring impact on not only Mississippi but also the entire country. My life was transformed while working on the Fannie Lou Hamer campaign for Congress. I am deeply influenced by her legacy, and I am honored to witness this recognition. I extend my gratitude to President Biden for acknowledging Hamer's pivotal role in American history and bestowing upon her this well-deserved honor," Thompson said.

Hamer, born in Montgomery County, Mississippi, served as Vice Chair of the Freedom Democratic Party. Representing the party at the 1964 Democratic National Convention, she delivered a powerful televised speech to the credentials committee advocating for the integration of state delegations, a moment that became a defining highlight of her activism. Her work was instrumental in the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. As she continued her fight towards equality, Hamer became a co-founder of the National Women's Political Caucus to support women of all races who wished to seek election to government office. She died on March 14, 1977, in Mound Bayou, Mississippi.

Fannie Lou Hamer devoted her life to advancing civil rights and women's rights in Mississippi and the United States. Her efforts to promote racial justice and equality live through generations.

If you would like to view the Presidential Medal of Freedom presentation, please visit: www.whitehouse.gov/live/

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