Keywords: 2003 Brown et al. v. the Board of Education of Topeka et al. Congressional Gold Medal.jpg Text info from http //catalog usmint gov/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay catalogId 10001 storeId 10001 productId 11002 langId -1 U S Mint Authorized by Public Law 108-180 this medal commemorates Reverend Joseph A DeLaine Harry and Eliza Briggs and Levi Pearson for their contributions to the Nation as pioneers in the effort to desegregate public schools that led directly to the landmark desegregation case of Brown et al v the Board of Education of Topeka et al The medal is a bronze replica of the Congressional Gold Medals awarded posthumously to Reverend Joseph A DeLaine Harry and Eliza Briggs and Levi Pearson and presented to personal representatives of each at a ceremony at the United States Capitol building on September 9 2004 The obverse design features a portrait of Reverend Joseph A DeLaine at the top center of the design Harry Briggs in the right center Eliza Briggs at the lower center and Levi Pearson in the left center of the design Each name is inscribed next to the corresponding image Centered along the top field are the inscriptions BRIGGS v ELLIOTT and Our Trust Is In God Inscribed along the bottom are the words BROWN v BOARD OF EDUCATION Two palm trees flank the images one on the left and one on the right The reverse design features four inscriptions that run from top to bottom Honoring the Pioneers and Petitioners from Clarendon County South Carolina They proved that segregation in education can never produce equality and that it is an evil that must be eradicated Judge J Waties Waring Dissenting Opinion ACT OF CONGRESS 2003 To the left of the inscriptions is a statue of Justitia the Roman goddess of justice portrayed with a pair of balanced scales raised in her left hand and a sword at her side in her right hand In the forefront four books are to be seen http //catalog usmint gov 2003 United States Mint Design Obverse - Charles L Vickers Reverse - Donna Weaver PD PD-USGov Congressional Gold Medals Brown v Board of Education 2003 medals |