A congressional delegation led by Rep. John Lewis of Georgia is headed to the Bridge Crossing Jubilee in Selma, Alabama.

The delegation will conduct a wreath-laying ceremony at the Civil Rights Memorial at 11:30 a.m. today. A spokesman said it will honor people slain during the civil rights movement.

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley said it's important to embrace the state's history, and it's also important to show people how Alabama has changed. Bentley will host a reception this evening for the congressional delegation, civil rights figures and other leaders.

The delegation heads to Selma on Sunday to re-enact the 1965 voting rights march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Lewis was one of the original marchers.

Tags: John Lewis, civil rights leaders, civil rights era