A photo shows Terrell Anderson, Junior with President Obama
DETROIT (WJBK) -
He is only three years old, but Terrell Anderson, Junior has some big shoes to fill. This little guy is Rosa Parks' third cousin.
A nine foot, 2,700 pound statue of Parks was unveiled at the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday in front of legislators, veteran civil rights leaders and Parks' family, including Terrell and his family, who got to rub elbows with the president.
Terrell's father told us his son asked President Obama whether he lives at The White House. The president assured him that he does.
"He just shook my hand and said, 'Got a cool kid there,'" said Terrell Anderson, Senior. "It was just like the president said my kid is cool, so he's always going to be cool now for me."
The bronze statue depicts Parks' seated and holding her purse in her lap signifying when she refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama back in 1955. Some pinpoint her arrest as the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement.
"It's an honor, a responsibility," the elder Anderson said about being related to a civil rights icon. "You don't want to put it out here like I'm related or I'm bigger than someone, but like my son, you want to tell him, hey, you're related to this person and you need to learn about your black history."
"I feel that's my responsibility to teach him that," he added.
Parks died in 2005. She is the first black woman to be honored with a statue in Capitol's Statuary Hall.
Tuesday, March 12 2013 4:33 PM EDT2013-03-12 20:33:13 GMT
The 75-year-old grandmother charged with open murder in the shooting death of her own grandson could take the stand any day in her own defense, but Tuesday belonged to the prosecution.
The 75-year-old grandmother charged with open murder in the shooting death of her own grandson could take the stand any day in her own defense, but Tuesday belonged to the prosecution.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:45:07 GMT
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
Monday, June 10 2013 7:54 PM EDT2013-06-10 23:54:52 GMT
There's a special place in hell for people who steal from churches, and you can bet its not air conditioned, but it was the A/C unit that was targeted at Christian Road Ministries on Detroit's west side.
There's a special place in hell for people who steal from churches, and you can bet its not air conditioned, but it was the A/C unit that was targeted at Christian Road Ministries on Detroit's west side.
Wednesday, June 5 2013 7:50 PM EDT2013-06-05 23:50:32 GMT
After a fatal crash, 26-year-old Leo Evans is facing charges that could put him in prison for years. He is accused of street racing, a dangerous game that can have deadly consequences.
After a fatal crash, 26-year-old Leo Evans is facing charges that could put him in prison for years. He is accused of street racing, a dangerous game that can have deadly consequences.
Wednesday, June 5 2013 7:29 PM EDT2013-06-05 23:29:03 GMT
There was a highway crash Tuesday near French Road in Detroit. State police were called to the scene, but when they got there, the were no victims. All they found was blood and shell casings scattered along I-94.
There was a highway crash Tuesday near French Road in Detroit. State police were called to the scene, but when they got there, the were no victims. All they found was blood and shell casings scattered along I-94.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:31 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:31:06 GMT
Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
As Kevyn Orr tries to solve Detroit's financial crisis, he is also working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:43:12 GMT
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:36:35 GMT
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:45:07 GMT
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:55:56 GMT
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
Monday, June 17 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 20:56:42 GMT
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
A photo shows Terrell Anderson, Junior with President Obama
