Rep John Lewis

Virginia Military Institute is honoring civil rights activist and Georgia Rep. John Lewis.

VMI says Lewis will be honored March 11 with the Jonathan M. Daniels Humanitarian Award. The award is named after the valedictorian of the VMI class of 1961 who traveled to Alabama as an Episcopal seminarian to join the civil rights fight.

VMI says Daniels was killed in 1965 during a violent struggle to protect the life of an African-American teenager.

The Daniels award is bestowed upon individuals who have made great personal sacrifices to protect or improve the lives of others.

Lewis is only the fourth person to be honored with the Daniels Award since it was first presented in 2001.

Tags: Rep. John Lewis, jonathan m. daniels humanitarian award, VMI To Honor Georgia Rep. Lewis With Humanitarian Award