In 1852, Senator Henry Clay became the first person to lie in state in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol. Since that time, only 29 others have received that honor. Nine of them were U.S. Presidents, including Ronald Reagan last year. Prior to Reagan, the last to lay there were two U.S. Capitol Police officers slain by a gunman in 1998. One of those officers, Jacob Chestnut, was the first African American to do so.
Beginning tomorrow afternoon, Rosa Parks' name will be added to that very special--and very short--list. She will be the second African American, the first woman, and the first private citizen to receive the ultimate tribute from this nation.
And if there is any justice in this universe, bus driver James Blake is rolling over in his grave right about now.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
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