WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Four South Carolina civil rights activists will receive the highest civilian honor the U.S. Congress bestows, the Congressional Gold Medal.
The award will be provided posthumously to Harry and Eliza Briggs, the Rev. Joseph A DeLaine and Levi Pearson at a Capitol ceremony on Sept. 8.
Sen. Ernest Hollings, D-S.C., and Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., pushed for the recognition.
DeLaine is best known for assisting in the filing one of the court cases that were incorporated in the landmark 1954 Supreme Court case Brown vs. Board of Education, which lead to the racial integration of schools nationwide.
The Briggs were plaintiffs in the South Carolina case.
Pearson was behind a similar suit filed earlier in South Carolina that was dismissed on a technicality.
