Congress to OK plan to let Parks' body lie in repose at Capitol
Detroit News staff and wire reports
WASHINGTON -- Congress was expected today to give final approval to a resolution that would allow the public to pay respects to Rosa Parks in the U.S. Capitol building on Sunday and Monday -- a unique honor for a private citizen.
Earlier, friends and supporters of the civil rights leader said they expected her body to lie in repose in the rotunda of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. But Detroit lawmakers gained support of legislative leaders to move the observance to the Capitol rotunda.
The Senate approved the resolution late Thursday.
It says that "in recognition of the historic contributions of Rosa Parks, her remains be permitted to lie in honor in the rotunda of the Capitol from Oct. 30 to Oct. 31, 2005, so that the citizens of the United States may pay their last respects to this great American."
In most cases, only presidents, members of Congress and military commanders have been permitted to lie in the rotunda.
Parks would be the first woman and second black American to receive the accolade. Jacob J. Chestnut, one of two Capitol police officers fatally shot in 1998, was the first black American to lie in honor, said Senate historian Richard Baker.
The most recent person to lie in repose in the Capitol was President Reagan in 2004.
http://www.detnews.com/2005/specialr...A10-363976.htm
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