Special to the Daily News

Feb. 20, 2019 is a day that has been proclaimed as Robert ‘Bob’ Hicks Day in Bogalusa and Washington Parish to honor and remember the life and legacy of Robert ‘Bob’ Hicks.
As one of the key Louisiana icons in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, it is appropriate that Robert Hicks be honored on what would have been his 90th birthday.
Robert Hicks’ fight for civil rights, which include equal pay, fair housing, equal access to Health care, equal educational opportunity for all and economic, social and cultural rights for everyone, still resonates to this day.
“The work that we, as a community working together have been doing, will hopefully be recognized on a broader national level and affect others as well.” said Barbara Hicks Collins, the Executive Director of the Robert “Bob” Hicks Foundation. She further added that the foundation is currently working with the Louisiana Lt. Governor and his staff to have the nationally registered Robert “Bob” Hicks House be a part of the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail, which is currently a part of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail.
The general public is invited to a celebratory tolling of Bethlehem Baptist Church’s bell on Wednesday, Feb. 20. This celebratory tolling of the church bells will be part of a larger recognition of February as ‘National African American History Month’ (Black History Month). As the names of individuals who impacted the course of history in our city and Parish are called out and remembered on this day, let it be a reminder to our citizens of the sacrifices and contributions made by Mr. Hicks, his contemporaries and generations of African Americans in our city and parish.
The Hicks Foundation welcomes the support or individuals, schools, churches, and organizations in their efforts to create a civil rights museum and preserve Bogalusa/Washington Parish’s rich history. Call The Hicks Foundation and offer your support and suggestions at 504-237-4656.