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U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) always enjoy giving back to her hometown of Selma.

Sewell gave $500,000 checks to  Selma University, the Historic Brown Chapel AME Church, and the Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church at three separate press conferences on Thursday afternoon.

The funding came from the National Park Service (NPS) which Sewell helped secure to preserve Civil Rights sites in the Queen City.

“We are sending a message to our entire nation that these historic civil rights sites are worth fighting for,” Sewell said. “We’re a better country because of people who fought for civil rights in Selma.”

Selma University was the first stop of Sewell’s tour. She donated a check to Selma University President Dr. Stanford Angion.

Angion said the repairs will go toward fixing the roof on Deacon Hall.

“I thank Congresswoman Sewell for the help she’s giving to Selma University,” Angion said.

Added Sewell: “Deacon Hall is an important site in the Voting Rights and Civil Rights. It’s been a long time since Selma University got help from the Federal Government.”

The second stop was Historic Brown Chapel AME Church, where Sewell grew up. She presented a check to Historic Brown Chapel Pastor Leodis Strong.

“I’m so proud to give back to my home church where so many people who fought, bled and died,” Sewell said.

Strong said he appreciates Sewell never forgetting her roots in the Queen City.

“Everywhere Congresswoman Sewell has been, she’s represented Selma,” Strong said. “She has been a local hometown hero and national hero.”

The final stop of Sewell’s tour was Tabernacle Baptist Church.

In front of the steps of the church Sewell presented a check for $500,000 for the church. Pastor Dr. Otis Dion Culliver received the check for the church. He gave the praise of getting the funds to not only his legacy foundation but the members who attend his church.

“I am elated,” Culliver said. “It’s a culmination of hard work from both are legacy foundation and the members of this congregation.”

Culliver said that having the congresswoman come out in person to give the church the check was such an honor.

“Having Congresswoman Sewells presence means that her heart is here,” Culliver said. “The fact that she is willing to come and bring this funding means that not just a dispensing of money. It’s important for these places to be preserved.”