Museum President Terri Freeman News 3 in Memphis, Tenn. that Biden was selected as an honoree for his work on human rights and LGBTQ issues.

She said that Jackson, a civil rights leader and member of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s inner circle, was honored this year because the theme of the event was 1968 – the year King was assassinated.

Freeman noted that she sees “many similarities” between 1968 and 2018, given the current political climate.

“We want to continue to help people understand the work is not over,” she said.