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Mr. Samuel L. Jackson Honored
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In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) honored three unsung heroes from the early days of the Civil Rights Movement: Reverend Robert Graetz (Trinity Lutheran Church), Herbert Young (Young’s Limousine), and MATS’ very own Samuel L. Jackson, Sr. The awards were given during panel discussions concerning transportation equity-past, present, and future. FTA’s Director of Civil Rights, Michael Winters was on hand to present Mr. Jackson with a special plaque honoring him for his lifelong efforts to bring civil rights awareness into the hearts and minds of the Montgomery community.
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During this commemorative event, Mr. Jackson gave a heartfelt reflection of his personal tribulations growing up in Montgomery:
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“I was a junior at Booker T. Washington High School and a regular on the Cleveland Avenue bus line when Mrs. Parks was arrested in 1955. I was at the first mass meeting when Dr. King made it clear for us (Blacks) not to ride the bus during the boycott. Once the boycott ended, the written laws were in place but desegregation was a real slow process. I was the third Black driver hired by Montgomery City Lines in 1968 and the first Black president of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU Local 765), where I served in office for over fifteen years.”
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After serving 25 years as a bus operator, Mr. Jackson now holds the position of Superintendent of Passenger Services and Civil Rights Officer for the Montgomery Area Transit System - a post not possible 50 years ago!
Congratulations, Sam! Your friends and colleagues around the City of Montgomery salute you!
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