By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
US Representative Spencer Bachus (R) from Vestavia has received a leadership award from The Faith & Politics Institute for his service in promoting racial understanding and political civility.
Congressman Bachus was presented with the 2012 John Lewis-Amory Houghton Leadership Award at the Faith & Politics Institute dinner in Washington on Wednesday. Bachus annually co-hosts the organization’s annual Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Alabama. Members of Congress from both parties come to the state to visit major landmarks of the Civil Rights movement. Rep. Bachus said,
“It is an honor to receive this award from the Faith & Politics Institute, which plays an important role in helping to encourage understanding and civility both within Congress and in our greater society. My involvement with the annual civil rights pilgrimages to Alabama has been one of the highlights of my service in Congress. It is a reminder of how the principle of nonviolence brought about peaceful and needed change in our society and of the powerful role that faith played in changing minds and hearts.”
The President & CEO of the Faith & Politics Institute Liz McCloskey, said,
“The Faith and Politics Institute is pleased to recognize Congressman Bachus with this award. The Lewis-Houghton Award is given to public figures who are exemplary in their efforts to bridge political, racial, and religious divides and who have exhibited qualities of conscience, courage, and compassion in their role as public servants. Congressman Bachus has demonstrated those values during the many years that he has worked with the Faith & Politics Institute in Washington and his home state of Alabama.”
Rep. Bachus was introduced by Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri during the ceremonies. Congressman James Clyburn (D) from South Carolina also received the Lewis-Houghton Award and was introduced by House Minority Leader Steny Hoyer (D) from Maryland.
The Lewis-Houghton award is named in honor of Congressman John Lewis (D) from Georgia who played a historical role in the civil rights movement. The award is also named after retired congressman Amory Houghton (R) from New York, the former Chairman and CEO of Corning Glass. Lewis and Houghton are credited with playing key roles in expanding the collaboration between the Faith and & Politics Institute and Members of Congress. According to their web site,
“Since 1991, The Faith & Politics Institute has served hundreds of members of Congress and congressional staff by offering experiential pilgrimages, reflection groups, retreats and public forums. In a world that is increasingly interconnected, we are dedicated to doing this work with the Congress because of their ties to a broad constituency and their leadership in local, national and global policy. Our belief is that our commitment to a relatively small but influential group of people will ultimately reach many.”
