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VTA Honors the Legacy of Rosa Louise Parks
| Release Number: | NR 10 02 03 |
| Release Date: | Feb 04, 2010 |
San Jose, Calif. – In recognition of Rosa Parks Day, Monday, February 8, 2010, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will be displaying its Rosa Parks Memorial Bus in front of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Library in downtown San Jose from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. As part of Black History Month, VTA honors the contributions of Rosa Louise Parks and other African-American leaders who fought for civil rights.
Ms. Parks shaped the civil rights movement. On December 1, 1955, she refused to give up her bus seat for a white passenger because she was weary after a long day’s work. VTA dedicated its Historic Bus in honor of Rosa Parks, the mother of the Modern Civil Rights Movement on February 15, 2006.
“Rosa Parks’ courageous act of civil disobedience changed the course of history and continues to inspire us today,” said VTA General Manager Michael T. Burns. “VTA is proud to display our bus in memory of a civil rights legend.”
The Rosa Parks Memorial Bus is bus number 6512, built in 1959 by General Motors; it is the last model of its kind from GM. It was delivered to the City of San Jose in the same year and began operating on city streets until it was retired in 1980. The Rosa Parks Memorial Bus was restored by VTA employees and their predecessors and is being maintained for future generations.
Out of appreciation of Ms. Parks’ strength and courage in the face of ignorance and oppression, the first seat on the Rosa Parks Memorial Bus is reserved in her honor. The Rosa Parks Memorial Bus is used today for community celebrations, parades and VTA events.
VTA’s Rosa Parks Memorial Bus will be in front of the MLK Library, 150 East San Fernando St., San Jose, on Monday, February 8, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition, on Monday, all VTA buses and light rail vehicles will have a sign near each entrance to commemorate Rosa Louise Parks.
Rosa Parks Day in California is the first Monday after February 4, each year.
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About VTA
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region. VTA is responsible for bus, light rail and paratransit operations and also serves as the county’s congestion management agency. As such, VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning, including congestion management issues, specific highway improvement projects, pedestrian and bicycle improvement projects, and provides these services throughout the county, including the municipalities of Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.
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