Lewis remembered as the 'conscience of Congress' who inspired new generation of activists
The "Conscience of Congress" Rep. John Lewis was heralded as a champion for peace, justice and equality by friends and colleagues mourning his Friday night at the age 80 from pancreatic cancer.
Lewis "was a titan of the civil rights movement whose goodness, faith and bravery transformed our nation," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., tweeted.
“Every day of John Lewis’s life was dedicated to bringing freedom and justice to all," Pelosi said in a statement. "As he declared 57 years ago during the March on Washington, standing in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial: ‘Our minds, souls, and hearts cannot rest until freedom and justice exist for all the people.’"
The Congressional Black Caucus, one of many Lewis belonged to, praised his fearlessness and said that his mere presence "encouraged a new generation of activist to 'speak up and speak out' and get into 'good trouble' to continue bending the arc toward justice and freedom."
Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, called Lewis an "American hero."
"May your example be an inspiration and light for generations seeking justice and freedom," he said in a tweet. "Rest in Power."
Castro's brother, former presidential candidate Julian Castro, said Lewis "was a giant among men" and a "a hell raiser known for making ‘good trouble.’"
"In mourning his passing, let us aspire to build the nation that Congressman Lewis believed it could be," Julian Castro tweeted.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell from Kentucky recalled joining hands with Lewis in 2008 while singing "We Shall Overcome" during a ceremony to honor Lewis' friend and civil rights hero Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Dr. King famously said 'the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.' But progress is not automatic," McConnell said in a statement. "Our great nation’s history has only bent toward justice because great men like John Lewis took it upon themselves to help bend it. Our nation will never forget this American hero.”
House Republican Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana said that one of Lewis’ greatest attributes was his relentless commitment to improving life for everyone.
"As accomplished and revered as he was, he never stopped working to advance the cause of equality and justice for all, even in his final days as he was battling for his own life. I was proud to call John Lewis a friend, and he will be deeply missed,” Scalise said in a statement. “America is a more perfect union because of the blood, sweat, and tears sacrificed by the great John Lewis."
