Congressman John Lewis is Sarbanes Speaker March 29

SALISBURY, MD---Congressman John Lewis, characterized as one of the most courageous persons the Civil Rights Movement ever produced, speaks at Salisbury University 7 p.m. Monday, March 29 in Holloway Hall Auditorium. Lewis, serving his ninth term as representative from Georgia’s Fifth District, is the author of Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement. He has been selected as the third speaker in the Paul S. Sarbanes Lecture Series, established at SU by its Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement (PACE). Sen. Sarbanes, who established the lecture series two years ago and who will accompany the congressman to the University, expressed his delight that his old friend would speak to his home town audience: "I am tremendously grateful that Congressman Lewis has agreed to be a part of PACE's lecture series. He has an amazing life story to share with the SU community, one that will enlighten, captivate and invigorate all. I encourage the entire Eastern Shore community to join me in what promises to be a very heartfelt and dynamic evening." “We could not be more delighted to have Congressman Lewis follow senators Sarbanes and Richard Lugar in our series,” remarked Dr. Harry Basehart, PACE’s co-director. “We want public officials whom our students can admire and emulate,” said Dr. Francis Kane, PACE’s other co-director.  “I can’t think of anyone better than this man, who rose from the son of a sharecropper to standing at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, in 1965.”  Lewis’ most recent accomplishment has been his sponsorship of the new federal National Museum of African-American History and Culture. President Bush signed the initiative into law this past December. Sen. Sam Brownback, Republican from Kansas and co-sponsor of the bill, said Lewis was “a gentleman who has touched my soul.” Lewis’ address is free and the public is cordially invited. For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.