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[Pages H3696-H3697]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REMEMBERING REPRESENTATIVE JOHN LEWIS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Massachusetts (Mr. Kennedy) for 5 minutes.
Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart this morning to
remember our colleague, John Lewis.
He was a hero to me. He was my friend. I am going to miss his smile,
his soft voice that could quickly become a bellow. I will miss his
hugs, his eternal optimism, and his hope that we would heed his advice
and ``keep the faith.''
John had a long and special relationship with my family, with my
grandmother in particular. They went through a lot together. They
survived a lot. They witnessed a lot.
She asked me to read a letter here today in his memory. She writes:
Dear friends,
Our hearts are heavy, but also grateful for the gift of
John Lewis, a man who devoted his life to making gentle the
life of this world.
John's loving demeanor enveloped a mighty determination and
passion for justice, equality, and the realization of his
dream for the ``Beloved Community.''
A young man full of fire and ideals, qualities that he
never lost, he was a trusted voice to my husband, Robert
Kennedy, relied upon, first, as a student demonstrator and,
later, as a campaign aide.
Activist, lawmaker, champion, he was also a teacher and a
cherished friend.
He and Bobby learned from one another. They listened, they
understood, they acted.
As a Freedom Rider, John was badly beaten at a bus stop in
Montgomery, Alabama, in 1961. From the basement of the First
Baptist Church where John, Martin Luther King Jr., and Ralph
Abernathy sought refuge, they called Bobby asking for
protection from a crowd of armed White supremacists
surrounding the church. President Kennedy sent in the
National Guard.
In Indianapolis, the night we lost Dr. King, John
influenced Bobby's decision to ignore Mayor Lugar's plea to
cancel a rally, instead seeking to comfort and seeking
comfort from a devastated crowd of Black supporters.
[[Page H3697]]
As the youngest speaker at the March on Washington, his was
a clarion call to end racial segregation and discrimination
in the United States. Over half a century later, as unrest
over systemic violence against Black Americans gripped our
Nation in recent weeks, John reinforced what he knew was
true:
``You cannot stop the call of history,'' the Congressman
said. ``You may use troopers. You may use fire hoses and
water, but it cannot be stopped. There cannot be any turning
back. We have come too far. We have made too much progress to
stop now and go back.''
John was witness to our Nation's history; he shaped it and
his legacy will forever be part of that history. When I think
of John and Bobby, I am reminded of Stephen Spender's poem,
``The Truly Great.''
. . . those who in their lives fought for life,
Who wore at their hearts the fire's centre.
Born of the sun, they travelled a short while toward the sun,
And left the vivid air signed with their honour.
Sincerely,
Ethel Kennedy.
____________________