Memorializing the Honorable John Lewis

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his remarks.

Some in my generation remember the song ``Abraham, Martin and John.'' Then, of course, there was Bobby. All four were taken from us far too early in their lives.

God blessed each of us, this institution, and this country by giving to John Lewis health for eight decades. He used that health and strength, mind and body, to serve his God, his faith, his country, and his people.

I can say that John Lewis was my friend, but then again, we could all say that John Lewis was our friend and be right in that claim because John Lewis was a person who loved his fellow human beings.

So many of you have heard me refer to John Lewis as the most Christlike person I have ever met. He was human, and he represented the best of humanity and all the positive attributes that humanity can summon. That is why you hear from both sides of the aisle, from all ideologies, from people of different colors, different races, different genders, different nationalities, and perhaps even different languages--certainly, different languages--for he was not just an American--though proud he was of that appellation--he was a citizen of humanity. Jim Clyburn said a little earlier today that we hear about Gandhi, and we talk about Christian values, but no one we know has lived and breathed who was those attributes, not that he believed in them or talked about them, but he embodied the best attributes that are in us all.

We have a short time because time is limited, and so many want to speak because they were touched by John Lewis, because they were inspired by John Lewis, and because they were motivated and uplifted by John Lewis.

Mr. Speaker, how lucky we are to be able to say that John Lewis was our friend. I knew John Lewis. John Lewis made a personal difference in my life and the lives of millions of other people who may not even know the name of John Lewis.

Mr. Speaker, if I had another hour or another day or another week, I would not run out of good things to say about John Lewis. But his life and his contributions need no elevation from me or any others, for his life is a book of goodness, of courage, of commitment, of vision, and of great accomplishment.

We sing the song ``God Bless America,'' and God blessed America and the world with John Robert Lewis.

Thank you, Lord.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source