Michigan Legislators Celebrate Unveiling of Rosa Parks Statue in Washington

Michigan legislators were among members of Congress and President Barack Obama Wednesday to witness the unveiling of a statue of Rosa Parks at the U.S. Capitol.

The monument to the civil rights pioneer now sits in Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C., which Congresswoman Candice Miller views as "its rightful place among Presidents and other historic figures."

"Rosa Parks was a pillar of strength for the civil rights movement and courageously met injustice head-on," said Miller, who serves Shelby Township and Utica in Michigan's 10th congressional district, in a statement.

Parks is known as an activist who helped lead the civil rights movement, beginning with her refusal to move from her seat on a Montgomery, AL, bus on Dec. 1, 1955. That bus now sits inside of the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn as part of a permanent exhibit.

Parks—who was also given the Congressional Gold Medal—spent the latter half of her life as a resident of Detroit, where she stayed until her passing in 2005.

Miller thanked Parks for her continued work in the Detroit area.

"The state of Michigan was blessed to have her become a member of our community where she lived and inspired countless Americans with her grace and dignity. Rosa Parks continues to inspire us today, and will forever remain one of America’s beacons of courage, hope, equality and freedom."