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Gov. Bentley, John Lewis Praise Shuttlesworth

Birmingham, AL – Alabama's governor and a Georgia congressman who was a leader in the civil rights movement have paid their respects at the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth's funeral.

Congressman John Lewis of Georgia, a native of Troy, worked with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee during the movement.

On Monday, he recalled meeting Shuttlesworth in May 1961 during the Freedom Rides. He says the preacher put his body on the line to end segregation and racial discrimination.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley frankly recounted his experience growing up on the white side of Jim Crow. He thanked Shuttlesworth for undoing what he called ``the teachings of a misdirected society.''

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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