The Third Annual Civil Rights Conference was held at UTM this week in the university center.

Yesterday, eight honorees were recognized at the “Recognition of of Outstanding African Americans” for their achievements throughout Tennessee.

Honorees included Alma Jean Thomas Carney, Sheriff Delphus Van Hicks, Harpman Jameson, Minnie Harris Jameson, Rev. Samuel “Billy” Kyles, John Mc Ferren, Viola Mc Ferren, Leavearn Towles and Ernest C. Withers.

Dr. Marvin Downing, interim chair and professor of the History and Philosophy department, welcomed everyone that attended the luncheon.

Dr. Minnie Bommer,one of Covington’s leaders, was the keynote speaker of the event.

Bommer spoke about how the struggle to come up for African Americans is still going on and how it has been a long road.

Bommer said that young people need to vote, be more active in politics, respect their elders and that it is their time to take charge and be leaders in this world.

“She was real inspirational. She gave us the task of understanding our history and respecting our elders,” said Student Government Association president Eric Tolbert.

Tolbert added that the awards were something that needed to be done for recognition for the participants involved in “Tent City” and to let the students recognize those involved in the civil rights movement.

“It was good to see the students come out and support the ones in the civil rights movement,” replied Tolbert.

David Stokes, UT Chapter NAACP vice president, said that he felt extremely honored by seeing and meeting courageous heroes.

“I will cherish the fact that I was able to meet such remarkable human beings for the rest of my life. I will cherish the wisdom bestowed upon me by such great people. They have worked hard to gain rights for African Americans. I learned a lot from this conference. I look forward to being able to pass on my experience to others,” said Stokes.