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Article: Activist from '40s to receive honors James Farmer one of 15 to get Medal of Freedom
- Article from:
- The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee, WI)
- Article date:
- January 15, 1998
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 1998 The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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When James Farmer receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom in
Washington, D.C., today, he'll have a University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee professor to thank for the honor.
All but relegated to the back pages of history, Farmer's role in
the civil rights movement came before the American public again when
Detine Bowers, a communications professor, headed a national
letter-writing campaign to nominate the 78-year-old activist for the
award.
"The process started 31/2 years ago, but it was put on hold until
last spring," said Bowers, who was invited by President Clinton to
attend the ceremony today in Washington.
Farmer will be among 15 people receiving the medal, the nation's
highest civilian ...