{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=c68e78c3-e2d0-4a60-87d8-632967790d43", "SENATORS INTRODUCE BILL TO HONOR FREEDOM SUMMER ACTIVISTS", "2014-09-22", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Thad Cochran, R-Miss., have introduced legislation to award a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner \u2013 men who lost their lives in 1964 while campaigning for civil rights during Mississippi\u2019s Freedom Summer.\u00a0 The bill is a Senate companion to H.R. 4409, introduced by Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss.\r\n\u201cThese men paid the ultimate sacrifice to bring justice and equality to every American,\u201d said Wicker.\u00a0 \u201cTheir courageous actions in the face of danger helped turn the course of history in the United States.\u201d\r\n\u201cVoting is one of the most sacred rights we have as Americans and it is important for us to reflect on our past and honor those who have fought to ensure every citizen has access to that basic freedom,\u201d Gillibrand said. \u201cJames Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner are unsung heroes who sacrificed their lives in the fight for freedom, justice and equality for all.\u00a0 This recognition is long overdue and I will push to make sure that these brave souls are awarded this honor and that the Gold Medal can stand as a memorial to commemorate their lives and fearlessness.\u201d\r\n\u201cBestowing the nation\u2019s highest civilian award upon these slain civil rights workers would signify the gratitude of a nation that today is more free and just because of their brave work and sacrifice,\u201d Cochran said.\r\nThis year marks the 50th anniversary of Freedom Summer.\u00a0 The term refers to the campaign for registering African Americans to vote in the South during the summer of 1964.\u00a0 Thousands of activists travelled to Mississippi and surrounding states to bring an end to the disenfranchisement that many faced when trying to exercise their right to vote.\u00a0 Participants also hoped to shed light on the violence and harassment faced by Mississippi\u2019s African American population.\u00a0 Churches, homes, and businesses were firebombed, in addition to arrests and beatings from mobs.\r\nOne of the most infamous acts of violence during the Freedom Summer occurred near Philadelphia, Miss., on June 21, 1964.\u00a0 James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner were arrested and questioned after a so-called traffic violation.\u00a0 Once released from questioning, they were not seen alive again.\u00a0 Six weeks later, the men\u2019s bodies were found under a dam.\u00a0 The bodies were badly decomposed, but it was reported that James Chaney suffered a violent beating.\u00a0 Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner died of gunshot wounds to the chest.\r\nTheir deaths provoked national outrage and support for the Civil Rights movement.\r\nThe three award nominees are:\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 James Chaney, born May 30, 1943, in Meridian, Miss.;  \u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Andrew Goodman, born November 23, 1943, in New York City; and  \u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Michael Schwerner, born November 6, 1939, in New York City.\r\nFollowing the presentation of the award, the gold medals would be given to Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, Mississippi, near Jackson.\u00a0\r\nThe Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award given by Congress.\u00a0 It is awarded to persons \u201cwho have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient's field long after the achievement.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=c68e78c3-e2d0-4a60-87d8-632967790d43"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.2792928609997034, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}