Georgia Senators Urging Top Medal for Late Morehouse President Benjamin Mays
ATLANTA
Georgia's U.S. senators want President Bush to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the late Benjamin E. Mays.
Mays, a child of freed slaves, was a noted human rights advocate and president of Atlanta's Morehouse College. He also influenced a generation of civil rights leaders, including the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
"As time goes on, Dr. Mays continues to stand out as an incredible example of faith and belief in America and the American dream," says Sen. Max Cleland.
Cleland and Sen. Zell Miller were expected to introduce a resolution in the Senate last month. If approved by the Senate, Rep. John Lewis of Atlanta would introduce it in the House. If approved there, it would then go to Bush for his signature.
In October 1983, the U.S. House voted unanimously to ask President Reagan to grant Mays the honor, but he did not.
Mays died two days after the White House ceremony honoring 14 others.
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