Transcripts For CSPAN Unveiling 20240705

Its about 50 minutes. Ladies and gentlemen welcome speaker of the house, kevin mckargt and democratic leader and hakeem jeffries. The speaker we are honored to have u. S. Postmaster to participate and share a special, special occasion. Each of them are instrumental in honoring the legacy of congressman lewis in creating this special stamp and celebrate the power of small things that carry big meanings. Stamps are more than than pieces of paper, they tell stories and honor heroes and capture important moments in history. By adding john lewis to this collection, we are honoring extraordinary stories and inspiring generations to follow his lead. Thank you for joining us. I cannot think of a better place to honor him right here in congress where he served for 17 consecutive terms. He was an extraordinary man to i think every Single Person who served or visited this place. And today, we are going to talk about his life. But with this honor, we are going to remember his contributions forever. Ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the presentation of the colors by the United States Capitol Police ceremony unit and singing of our national anthem. Forward march. Present. O say can you see by the dawns early light. What so proudly we hail. At the twilights last gleaming. Whose bright stripes and bright stars. Through the perilous fight. Oer the ramparts we watched. Were so gallantly streaming. And the rockets red glare. The bombs bursting in air. Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say does that our starspangled banner yet wave. Or the land of the free. And the heme home of the brave. , march. Ladies and gentlemen remain standing offered by chaplain kibben. Chaplain kibben would you pray with me, we lift up our voices to you, god of our country. God of we pause today to give testimony to how far you have brought us, from a bloody bridge on a sunday in selma, to decades of life of service arrive with brutal resistance, john lewis has stayed forever on your path. The silence of violent rod chasing those who would strive like he to emerge from a gloomy past and he is a bright star casts the hope of freedom you plant in our souls today. We pray your blessing on this moment. Reveal in this unique tribute not just a figure of strength and courage in our nations challenging history, but eyes may we appreciate this man of faith, faith in you, faith in humanity, faith in our countrys promising future. Let our rejoicing rise with a song full of hope that john laws path has taught us, a song full of hope that your servant has brought us and let this honor be worthy of the liberty for which congressman lewis has fought for and on behalf of each one of us. In your eternal and gracious name, we pray. Amen. Please be seated. Ladies and gentlemen, the honorable mccarthy speaker of the United States house of representatives. Is. The speaker now it is my privilege to invite the official party to unveil the stamp, if you want to come up. Hakeem, former speaker of the house, nancy pelosi. Ready, one, two, three. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, the honorable postmaster of the United States and chief executive officer of the United States Postal Service. Thats a nicelooking stamp. Thank you for attending today. I would like to thank Speaker Mccarthy, leader jeffries and lewis family for organizing this event. Through our Stamp Program, the United States Postal Service celebrates the very best of america and congressman lewis truly represents that ideal. John lewis led a life of consequence. He was a passionate leader of Americas Civil Rights Movement and voice for his generation. Our nation certainly benefit frd his fearlessness to get into trouble. In congress, john lewis continued to work and was a legislative force for freedom and justice for over 30 years. He was the conscience of the congress. For decades of service and commitment to achieving equality john ruse was awarded the congressional medal of femme by president obama. I would be remiss in pointing out that in congress, john lewis was a strong advocate for the United States Postal Service, its mission and the women and men who serve our Mission Every day. In 2013, we were honored when john lewis spoke at a dedication ceremony and should a commemorative stamp honoring the 50 Year Anniversary on the march of washington. 50 years before, john lewis was the youngest speaker at that march lending his voice to a generation in the cause of freedom. In addition, in 2017, congressman lewis participated in the dorothy heights forever stamp. To his many contributions at the Main Post Office will be renamed the John Lewis Post Office at a dedication ceremony this coming august. [applause] our Stamp Program has honored many civil american heroes like Martin Luther king junior, rosa parks, and thurgood marshall. It is my honor to announce the United States Postal Service will issue a forever stamp celebrating the life and legacy of congressman john lewis. [applause] we will officially dedicate the john lures forever stamp at july 21 at Morehouse College in atlanta. The women and men of the Postal Service take great pride in binding the nation together. Goth as john lewis worked for us. By issuing this special stamp, we are providing a way for the public to come together in remembrance and commemoration and we hope it might get people to learn bel the about the life of john lewis. We are proud to honor john lewis with this stamp. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, inaugural president and chief executive officer of the john and Lillian Lewis foundation. Mr. Speaker, leader jeffries, colleagues, friends and family of john lewis. It warms my heart and amazing and kind of ironic we are here today to celebrate john lewis and the u. S. Postage stamp that will bear his likeness. Ironic may not be the exact word but when i learned. I was his chief of staff back in the day before there was before everyone had a cell phone. G. P. S. Trackers were not available. So when i had to track the congressman down, which i had to do rather often, i had to send interns to do it. The first place i would send them to be here. I would say come here first and most of the time heres where they would find him, talking to groups of students, chatting with the Capitol Police, catching up with colleagues and answering questions from visitors or wondering around looking at the statues. John lived this place and he was in awe of this place. This place strengthened and fortified him to do the peoples work. This was his favorite place on the hill. Not the hallowed halls of congress, not the house chamber, not his congressional office, which was full of photos of his wife and son and moment use telling his life but here in statuary hall that the people around the country decided to elevate and commit to stone and have them represent them in our capitol building. And how he would be excited to have mary mcleod and have here. Her devotion to young people, her leadership, her humility and civilly and her ability to bring Diverse People and perspectives to the table to find Common Ground and work for the common good. If john lewis were with us today, he would first tell you about growing up in alabama, 40 miles outside of a town called troy with parents who were share croppers who when john was four years old bought 110 acres that his family still owns and he would tell you about his preaching to the chickens and then he would tell you Something Else he may have heard him say before, the vote is precious and almost sacred and the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democracy. We must protect it. We must use it. John lewis name is sin mouse in selma and bloody sunday. You know the story. He dedicated his entire life to ensuring the right to vote. His faith his face is the face of the Voting Rights. Having his face on a stamp encourages civic participation and engagement. On behalf of the john and Lillian Foundation i thank you to make this postage stamp possible. He would be too humble to say, he would say linda dont say that, not now, not here, but im going to say it. Honor congressman lewis memory, his life and legacy by finding ways to Work Together not for us but the rest of us. Stand up for what you truly believe is right and honor his memory by voting. Some of you were here when we celebrated congressman lewis three years eying as he laid in state. If he were. Ms. Herrera beutler , congressman lewis would express his deep appreciation and gratitude that both sides of the aisle came together for this special ceremony. He would see this ceremony as a symbol of unity and honored at this reminder of his legacy and the values for which he stood, his words would echo his sentiment that we may have not chosen the same path but we are in all this together. This ceremony would fill congressman lewis with hope and enforce his belief in the power of unity and collective action to make a difference and create lasting change. Thank you. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, honorable jeffries, democratic leader of the United States house of representatives. [applause] mr. Jeffries speaker Kevin Mccarthy and Speaker Pelosi who served with john lewis for 34 years. They were both members of the same class. Thats a pretty good class. [laughter] whip Katherine Clark and members of congress and members of the lewis family, staff, and all those in attendance, good afternoon. Thank you for your presence here today. Its a great honor and privilege on behalf of House Democrats to stand before all of you to pay tribute to a civil rights champion, defender of democracy, voice for the voiceless, legendary leader and powerful profound principal public servant, the honorable john lewis. The stamp will forever represent and commemorate one of our countrys greatest sons and the conscience of our congress. Its appropriate that one of our forever heroes will be recognized with a forever stamp. Personally, as all of us who had the opportunity to serve with john lewis know we will cherish the time we had to spend with him, serving in the peoples house and in my case as a member of the congressional black caucus. I remember how special it was when as a new member i first saw john lewis on the house floor. Early in january of 2013. He called me over to him and he asked, are you the new guy . I responded yes, sir, because anybody with any sense called john lewis sir. He then asked, youre from brooklyn, right . I was tempted to say brooklyn is always in the house, but this was the great john lewis. So instead, i said, yes, sir. And he said something to me that i will never forget and he said i was talking to your predecessor and had few things to say about you that washington, d. C. , can be a rough place. So young man, i dont want you to get in any trouble unless its good trouble. [laughter] he knew something a lot, good trouble. When the boy from troy dr. King said when he saw something wrong, he did something about it. John sat in. John lewis protested. John lewis organized. John lewis spoke up. John lewis showed up. John lewis got into good trouble to bend the arc of the moral universe towards justice. He was a force of goodness and angel among us and believer in the beloved community. Several times throughout his journey, he was met with brutal violence. On bloody sunday, he was beaten within an inch of his life on the Edmund Pettus bridge while leading the march from selma to montgomery. The situation seemed hopeless but the courage that john lewis displayed that day set in motion a chain of events that led to the historic passage of the 1965 Voting Rights act, what man meant for evil, god meant for good. He was a man of faith, goodness and mercy were in his d. N. A. John lewis, the pursuit of riecial justice and equality was not a partisan affair, it was his deeply set of values, anchored in love of country, love of the constitution and love of god. As paul the apostle to timothy, i have fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. That new testament scripture is quintessential john lewis. He ran his race and fought the good fight, made a big difference, got into some good trouble, changed america, crossed the finish line and always kept the faith. May god continue to pleas the legacy of the great john lewis and may god continue to pleas the United States of america to bless the United States of america. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, the honorable Kevin Mccarthy, speaker of the United States house of representatives. [applause] the speaker talk about being fitting in this room, its the location. Look at mary smiling down on us. Two great educators, two great civil rights leaders and two leaders who changed the course of history to make a more perfect union. Almost three years ago, the body of congressman lewis was carried out of the rotunda and down the Capitol Steps for the final time. The spirit of john lewis in in congress for more than 30 years. John lewis was an extraordinary man, courage, compassion, moral character. As a young man he suffered for the nation so future generations could enjoy the full blessings of freedom. Discrimination wasnt history but a reality. I had the privilege of going to selma twice with john lewis. First time i was able to go, i took my entire family and took my sons girlfriend who is now our daughterinlaw. She was so excited to meet john lewis. In this time it was a president ial year and the crowds were large and visit the churches and we were going to make that march on the bridge. John lewis made sure i marched next to him. As the crowds got bigger and everyone wanted to be with john, we got crowded out. As we were walking down the street, he stopped the entire march to make sure my family was back with him. But what i remember is what he told me as we made that march. He said, i got arrested trying to eat lunch at the counter in that building. As we marched towards the bridge, i will never forget. He would tell us the story of that day, but when we got to a certain point, i cant tell you anymore. I dont remember past this moment when i was moment. He doesnt remember how he got back, but he was carried back close to his own death. He had been beaten so bad that he lost consciousness and he almost died. Yet john never gave up on america or gave in to himself to be angry. He rose above prejudice and responded to the force with forgiveness. In other words, he used what was right with america to fix what was going wrong in america. John was also a teacher who believed deeply in Civic Education and led by example. We actually worked together for many years on we, the people Civic Education. Fittingly, his very last Public Service was about Civic Education. He and i sent a letter the day before he died calling for more investment in courses in elementary, middle and high schools. Even on the last day of his life, john never stopped working to improve the lives of others. You know, there are certain things that happen in your life that you so powerful. When they happen, it happens like in slow motion. You remember it that way. I told you about the first time i went to selma with him. The second time was the 50th anniversary. This one was different. This was the 50th anniversary, the amount of press. And on this day, president obama was going to speak. I think he gave him one of his best speeches and i told him afterwards. That isnt what moved me that day. I sat with senator scott. You know what moved me . Watching john lewis and thinking about 50 years prior being beaten simply because he wanted to register people to vote, standing up and introducing president obama, the president of the United States. I may be in a different party. I may have different views, but im an american, i got goose bumps and tears thinking how far we had come and thinking that john lewis led the march on that bridge and led the introduction that day. Regardless of how you felt about our country, you realized the change thatted begun and the man who led it was right in front. He may not smile here, but i told the postmaster it should have been a gift and should have been dancing because thats the way i knew john. He won many more awards than i ever could but i remember him he would invite me to come. I remember these groups that had given to everybody else and i wanted john to be the one to present to me. I am proud and honored to call john a friend. Everyone should strive to celebrate his incredible life and his legacy and we should learn from it. Fortunately, they endure. In fact, theyre stamped on our hearts forever. And john will be as well. Thank you and god bless. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the benediction delivered by dr. Margaret grun kibben, chaplain, United States house of representatives. Chaplain kibben would you pray with me . Holy god, you have by thy might let us into the light of freedom and justice. Keep us forever on thy path, left our feet, our hearts, our words, our lives. Stray from the places where we still meet you. In the faces of the poor, the oppressed, the downtroddened, in the gazes of the needy, the thirsty and the hungry. Less we forget you remind us, again, of the life and legacy of your servant, john lewis, who woke each day to the rising sun, a new day begun to make good trouble. In honor of the honorable john robert lewis, and in light of your truth, may we march forever onward in your service to you, to this country, until your victory is won. In the strength of your mighty name we pray, amen. Ladies and gentlemen, Speaker Mccarthy and leader jeffries welcome you to join a reception in the rayburn room which will begin momentarily. Thank you for joining us today. [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2023] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] lat today, President Biden will mark the oneye anniversary of the supreme courts decision in the dobbs abortion case. ll speak at an event with Vice President harris hosted by emilys list and other prochoice organizations. Thatsivat 4 00 p. M. Eastern onsn. You can watch with our free mobi video app, cspan now. Or online at cspan. Org. Saturday marks the first annirsary of the supreme courts dobbs decision, overturning roe vs. Wade. Former Vice President mike pence joins others for t national celebrat life day at th lincoln memorial. Watcon cspan, cspan now, our free mobile video app, or online at cspan. Org. Sunday on q a, historian cassandra good talks about the lives and complicated legacy of George Washingtons heirs. Though they never had children together, george and Martha Washington raised marthas children and later grandchildren as their own. Together they made up americas first family. People will say, who are you writing about . At first i wasnt sure. It became clear while there were plenty of nieces and nephews, those people didnt go around selling themselves as George Washingtons heirs and the next generation of family. It was those that were blood related to martha, not george, who basically made careers out of being George Washingtons family. Cassandra good with her book first family sunday night at 8 00 eastern on cspans q a. You can listen to that