HoustonChronicle.com

• Mourners recall the life of James Byrd Jr.
• Victim's relatives say they "just want justice"
• Father's Day not the same for victim's dad
• Byrd's mother isn't forgiving accused
• Byrd family files lawsuit against T-shirt sellers
• Crime leaves two families in pain
• Victim's family past the anger
• Byrd family honored for reconciliation efforts
• Dragging victim's grave marker stolen
• Byrd anniversary marked
• Byrd family just beginning to deal with personal mourning
• Family remembers Byrd, looks for `closure'

Victim's family honored

The Anti-Defamation League's South Texas region Tuesday night honored the family of Jasper murder victim James Byrd Jr. for its racial reconciliation efforts.

Three men are charged with capital murder for allegedly dragging Byrd behind a pickup truck June 7, described as the worst hate crime in Texas history.

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Byrd's family has since attended events marking his killing, spoken out and attempted to bring down racial barriers, David Bell, chairman of the regional ADL office, said at an awards dinner.

The Byrd family received the Rogers Ecumenism Award, which carries a $2,000 stipend, while Houston businessman Robert Mosbacher Sr. was given ADL's Torch of Liberty award for commitment to the community

Byrd's sister, Mary Verrett, said the worldwide response her family received following the killing has been gratifying.

"We have come to understand that this was a crime not just against our family, but a hate crime against the whole world," Verrett said. "To have people come to us and say `we're sorry,' that really helps."

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