The times were hard and Dr. Reid was already active and a hero in his own right in the African American Community before he won the seat in his congressional district. GOTV efforts and much hard work had to be accomplished for an African American to win a southern seat during the Jim Crow era, not to mention his activsim brought about the first black governor of Virginia. All of these firsts paved the way to electing a young senator to later become our first Black president not once but twice, President Barack Obama.
Dr. Reid was a surgeon in a MASH unit in Korea. This fine civil rights Icon not only served his country in the Navy but was also a trailblazer in the medical field by working as one of the first black surgeons at Bethesda Naval Hospital.
He will turn 90 in March and I believe this man derserves more recognition than he has received. He is a Civil Rights Icon and after 90 years still encouraging the GOTV.
Listen up my fellow Kogs and Kossacks, this idea of 90 for 90 in Virginia will work nationwide as written in this linked Article.from the Baltimore Post. If this tribute can register a quarter of a million voters in the Old Dominion, then Dr. Reid needs a long overdue major recognition and his lifetime achievements should be noted.
http://baltimorepostexaminer.com/...
It’s the cusp of his 90th birthday, but civil rights icon Ferguson Reid is still gearing up for the long haul.“We have the races in 2015, 2017, and 2019 to get the majority,” he tells me, referring to the off-year elections for control of Virginia’s state government. “And this election will determine whether or not we’re able to get a House majority for 2021.”
The Democratic political veteran seems happy and relaxed in our conversation, even as he acknowledges the challenges his party faces in Virginia. He shows an encyclopedic knowledge of his state’s history and its current crop of candidates, sounding upbeat about Democratic chances this fall despite the steep hill they need to climb in one chamber. Republicans rule the roost in the state House, where they’ve set up a firewall against Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe’s priorities. And thanks to a computer-drawn map that’s gerrymandered the Old Dominion to within an inch of her life, the Governor’s naysayers seem secure in their power – at least for now.
Dr. Reid is a walking political activist, and history lesson.The article went on to say: The 90 for 90's Project
“Voting is a great equalizer,” Fergie tells me, “because believe it or not, on Election Day our votes count as much as the Koch brothers’!”There’s some joy in his voice as he observes the fact. And despite all of the decades he’s had to dwell on this truth, there’s wonder, too. He’ll never take this right for granted, he says, because freedom is not free, and neither is it eternal. What one Amendment allows, another can undo.
Activists in Virginia aren’t taking it for granted either. In honor of Fergie Reid’s 90th birthday on March 18, a massive voter registration drive is underway. The “90 for 90” project plans to register at least 90 voters in each of Virginia’s 2,550 precincts, to help commemorate Reid’s legacy. - See more at: http://baltimorepostexaminer.com/...
This is such a great tribute that the 90 for 90 are doing. Who do we see about getting the well deserved Medal of Freedom awarded to this great man? There was only one Medger Evers, only one John Lewis and only one Dr. Ferguson Reid. Many think his time for such an award is long overdue and that includes me. He, by the way keeps up with some of we activists right here on Daily Kos. glance at the electoral map reveals what a game-changer this could be. If the “90 for 90” project can register the 250,000 new voters it intends to – or even achieve half of that – it could lock out Republicans from the Electoral College for good. It’s hard to see the GOP winning an electoral college majority without Virginia. And their situation is even more tenuous with the Clintons’ family friend and firm ally Terry McAuliffe in the Governor’s mansion. The “90 for 90″ project logo “If Hillary wants to win Virginia,” Reid said, “Terry should get involved in the 2015 elections now.” The rationale is simple: Every dollar that is raised for Virginia’s 2015 off-year election, every voter who becomes registered, and every canvassing effort will fine-tune and strengthen a Democratic machine that will need to be in top form in an election where the Kochs and other GOP donors are expected to spend more than $1 billion. - See more at: http://baltimorepostexaminer.com/...This fine hero does not want recognition but he deserves it. He is a soft spoken man who is sharp as a tack so age cannot hold us back any longer. This man is more than willing to continue his quest for voting rights and getting out the vote at almost 90 years of age.
I spoke with him tonight and it was such an honor to actually speak to an icon of history. We need to give flowers while people are living and not wait and pass honors on to family members.. Again I say, " What is the process of nominating the Presidential Freedom Award to an individual"?
I also have good news for Virginia Kossack Meetups. Dr. Reid is willing to speak to activists via conference call to help GOTV. He said it would be his joy. He is also willing to help any way he can in helping elect better and more democrats. He told me, " We use our vote or we lose it, and the money people like the Koch people are trying to buy our democracy". What a statement.
Come on people...We have a country to save and a country about to become a Koch enterprise if we don't follow this man's advice and get busy. Please re read The Marti's diary and let's put some boots on the ground and expose the money machine for what it is. There is power in the vote and we stil have icons out there fighting for you, our children, and our children's children.