WASHINGTON (WJTV) – On Friday, Medgar Wiley Evers will posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Evers, a World War II veteran and civil rights leader, was assassinated in his driveway in Jackson, Mississippi, on June 12, 1963.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the United States' highest civilian honor, awarded to individuals who have distinguished themselves in “the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other important public or private endeavors.” The winner will be selected by the president.
After returning from World War II, Evers held several leadership roles in civil rights organizations. He recruited volunteers, led demonstrations, and organized voter registration drives. In recognition of his role in the civil rights movement, he was posthumously awarded the NAACP Spingarn Medal for outstanding service and is on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The Mississippi delegation expressed support for the award to President Biden.
“This is a powerful way to honor the life and work of Medgar Evers. The fact that we are receiving this award 60 years after his death is evidence of the inspiration he has been for generations to come.” “His legacy was not lost in 1963, and we thank the President for choosing our state's native son for this well-deserved honor,” said Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi). “
“The Presidential Medal of Freedom is a testament to the lasting impact that Medgar Evers had not only on Mississippi, but on the nation as a whole. More than 60 years after his death, our state's African American His tireless pursuit of equality continues to resonate across generations, and as someone deeply influenced by his legacy, I am honored to be able to witness this recognition. “I would like to thank President Biden for recognizing Evers' vital role and for bestowing this well-deserved honor on him,” said Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi).
Mississippians who have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom include civil rights activist James Earl Cheney (2014) and representative GV (Sonny) Montgomery (2005). Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Hayes (1970). Historian Dumas Malone (1983). Music artist Leontyne Price (1964) and his B.B. King (2006). Authors: Eudora Welty (1980) and Tennessee Williams (1980). and media mogul Oprah Winfrey (2013).
