"Mother of Civil Rights" Rosa Parks Honored and Laid to Rest

Rosa Parks was honored by thousands of people today at a memorial service at Greater Grace Temple Church in Detroit.  Parks was remembered for her sacrifice, dedication, and contributions to the cause of racial justice and equality in America.

In attendence were members of Congress, former President Bill Clinton, and religious and civil rights leaders.  "The woman we honored today held no public office, she wasn't a wealthy woman, didn't appear in the society pages," said Senator Barack Obama. "And yet when the history of this country is written, it is this small, quiet woman whose name will be remembered long after the names of senators and presidents have been forgotten."

After the church service Parks will be laid to rest at Detroit's Woodlawn Cemetery.  Parks passed away on October 24th at the age of 92.  On Sunday and Monday, more than 30,000 people, including President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush paid tribute to Parks as she lay in state at the U.S. Capitol rotunda.  Parks was the first woman to be given this honor.  President Bush ordered U.S. flags flown at half-staff today in remembrance of Parks.