CF Vatterott would like to honor civil rights icon, Rep. John Lewis as he lost his battle with cancer this past weekend.  John Lewis was a leading advocate for civil rights and was instrumental in securing voting rights for all. In 1965, he led the famous march from Selma to Montgomery to demand equal voting rights for Black Americans. During this march Mr. Lewis was brutally beaten by Alabama state troopers and images of the violence that protesters faced on that day, known now as Bloody Sunday, helped win support from the public for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Throughout his pursuit of civil rights, Lewis was arrested more than 40 times but never gave up and continued to fight for equal rights during his many years serving in Congress. 

Our founder, Charles F. Vatterott, and current Chairman Greg Vatterott Sr had a special connection with Rep. Lewis stemming from the Selma Marches.  Civil Rights were very important to Charles F. Vatterott Jr and his company, as during the 1950’s and early 1960’s the company was already showing its support for equality by building homes for people of color without deed restrictions, building the area’s only interracial golf club among its other efforts. At the time, this was very unpopular and many others in the St. Louis community did not support it.

However, that did not stop Charles F. Vatterott Jr.. He continued to participate in many civil rights acts, including the March on Washington, where Dr. Martin Luther King issued his famous I Have a Dream Speech.  In response to Rep. Lewis’ call, via Dr. King and Archbishop Ritter, Charles F. Vatterott Jr. and his son, Greg Vatterott Sr., participated in the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery.  Charles Vatterott chartered two D-3 airplanes, one from St. Louis and one from Kansas City, to fly faith-based leaders to join Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, Frederick D. Reese & many other civil rights activists in Selma, Alabama for the demonstrations. With the Clergy marching in front, it was hoped that the State Troopers would refrain from the violence of the previous effort.  Vatterott also brought with him a briefcase that held $25,000 as bail money if any of the Missouri clergy demonstrators were to get arrested. 

On February 24, 2016 John Lewis recognized the protestors, or “foot soldiers of Selma” who participated in the 1965 Civil Rights March from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama at the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony.  Among those who were recognized by Mr. Lewis and awarded a Congressional Gold Medal was our Chairman Greg Vatterott Sr.. Below is a picture of John Lewis (middle left) and Civil Rights Activist Frederick D. Reese (middle right) with Greg Vatterott Sr. (far right) and other members of the Vatterott family.  Also pictured below is the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to Greg Vatterott Sr.

As the grandson of Charles Vatterott, and son of Greg Vatterott Sr – our company President Greg Vatterott Jr noted that “As many key leaders of the Civil Rights movement begin to pass from us, it is important for all of us to remember their dedication, service and hard work towards equality, and to continue their efforts today and tomorrow to make our society just, equal, inclusive and as a result stronger.”