Comments after the death of civil-rights pioneer Rosa Parks:

"I truly believe that there's a little bit of Rosa Parks in all Americans who have the courage to say enough is enough and stand up for what they believe in. She did such a small thing, but it was so courageous for her as a humble person to do. — Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y.

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"The nation lost a courageous woman and a true American hero. A half century ago, Rosa Parks stood up not only for herself, but for generations upon generations of Americans. Her quiet fight for equality sounded the bells of freedom for millions." — Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.

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"I think Rosa Parks was truly a historic figure who singularly on December 1, 1955, tore down the walls of American segregation and apartheid." — Rev. Al Sharpton.

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"She must be looked upon as not just the mother of the modern civil rights movement; she must be looked upon as one of the mothers of the New America, of the New South." — Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga.

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"Rosa Parks has shown the awesome power of right over might in history's long journey for peace and freedom." — the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

She loved people with a passion, and when she took that seat on that bus that day, she took a seat for all of us." — Clara Luper, a retired teacher who led a group of teenagers in a sit-in at a downtown Oklahoma City drug store counter in 1958.

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"I remember her as an almost saint-like person. And I use that term with care. She was very humble, she was soft-spoken, but inside she had a determination that was quite fierce." — Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich.

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"In her own simple way, Rosa Parks changed the history of our nation. She forced us to recognize the dignity of every person. She was a prophet — a common instrument of God inviting us and challenging us to a new vision of solidarity, equality and justice. We were blessed to have her as citizen of Detroit." — Cardinal Adam Maida, Archbishop of Detroit.