Lawmakers honored the late Rep. John Lewis with a moment of silence Monday, an emotional moment on the House floor as Congress mourns the senior Georgia Democrat.
Both Republicans and Democrats from Georgia remembered their colleague ahead of passing a bereavement resolution in Lewis’ memory.
“John Lewis spent his life pursuing freedom, justice, opportunity, love and peace for all of humanity,” Democratic Rep. Sanford Bishop said. “He inspired us as the conscience of the Congress. And we have all been truly blessed to know, love, and share the life and legacy of this extraordinary human being.”
“Our nation has indeed lost a giant. It’s times like these that we must be reminded of the shoulders that we stand on, the shoulders of giants like John,” Republican Rep. Tom Graves said. “I’m better off because of John Lewis. … Our nation is so much better because of John Lewis.”
“We are all deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague. All of us who served with John know that he always worked on the side of the angels,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote in a letter to her colleagues. “Now he is with them. May he rest in peace.”
Lewis died Friday at the age of 80 after battling pancreatic cancer. A representative from Georgia’s 5th District, the Democrat had served in Congress for more than 30 years.
He was a civil rights legend, having worked with Martin Luther King Jr., was assaulted as an original Freedom Rider and one of the marchers in 1965 on the bridge in Selma, Alabama.
Mrs. Pelosi explained in her letter that Lewis’ family is waiting out of respect for the funeral of the Rev. C.T. Vivian’s, another civil rights icon, to announce plans for their own.
Coronavirus concerns will complicate how Lewis will be honored on Capitol Hill and whether lawmakers will decide to have his remains lie in state — an honor reserved for American heroes and dignitaries.
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.
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