Civil rights 'dean' Joseph Lowery celebrates 90th birthday

[rug]

By Melanie Eversley, USA TODAY
Updated 9h 53m ago

One of the last icons of America's civil rights battles turns 90 Thursday, and hundreds of his relatives, friends and fans will celebrate with him at Atlanta Symphony Hall on Sunday.

The Rev. Joseph Lowery, "the dean of the civil rights movement," who worked with Martin Luther King, will have Happy Birthday sung to him by Stevie Wonder. Lowery will receive in-person birthday wishes from fellow legends Andrew Young, former United Nations ambassador and ex-mayor of Atlanta; Democratic Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, a former Freedom Rider and an organizer of the March on Washington in 1963; and the Rev. C.T. Vivian, a King lieutenant and former student organizer.

Lowery will be honored in a musical presentation, His Words — Our Gift, featuring singer Jennifer Holliday and actress Cicely Tyson.

"I feel blessed that the Lord has let me live this long and enjoy all the blessings that I've enjoyed," Lowery said from his home in Atlanta.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-10-05/joseph-lowery-civil-rights/50673254/1?csp=34news&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+usatoday-NewsTopStories+%28News+-+Top+Stories%29

[monmouth]

1. I could listen to the Rev. Lowery speak for hours. He is so smart,

funny and a no punches pulled straight talker. Happy Birthday sir.