Transcripts For CSPAN U.S. House Of Representatives Lewis Tributes 20240712

Over here in the front row is a big bouquet of white flowers. Its in the place where john usually sat in the front row of a section that many of the members of the congressional ack caucus held forth, conspired sometimes, plotted, and made progress for the American People. Its appropriate that we have those flowers there. Where john sat. For so many years. John meacham who is writing a book on john lewis told us yesterday on a caucus call that when john was born he was born into a garden. He loved to be in the garden. He loved to be with the chicks, as we know, little chickens. And he loved to see things grow. Loved to see things grow. And he lived his life in that way. He loved to see progress grow, he loved to see love and peace grow. He loved to see ideas grow. And he loved to see a more Perfect Union grow. Many of our colleagues will have many things to say this evening and because of the because its the personal order i dont have my usual one minute which is endless so ill be briefer and save some remarks for another time but heres what i want to say. Just to say job has always been about non john has always been about nonviolence. That was his spirit and everything he did was respectful of other views and respectful of other people. In the spirit of nonviolence, that was dr. Lawson, reverend lawson taught that to him, to dr. King and the rest, and it was much of it in the spirit of gandhi and the nonviolence that he put forth. In san scrit, gandhis language, the word for nonviolence, its [speaking foreign language]. That word means two things. Nonviolence. And insistence on the truth. And john lewis, nonviolently always insisted on the truth. Whether it was a lunch counter, the truth of equality, whether it was upholding the constitution, the truth of our founders, whether in everything that he did. It was about truth and peace and love. And so im going to submit my statement for the record because, again, im not used to not having endless time as a speaker of the house. But i do know that our colleagues have a great deal to say. I just want to say this one thing. Again, one more thing. At the end of his life, end of his time in washington, d. C. , right before he was preparing to go back to atlanta, just a couple of weeks ago, in the middle of the night he decided, early in the morning, 4 00 a. M. , that he was going to go to black lives matter on the street. So one of the last official or public photos that we have of john lewis is with the mayor of washington, d. C. , and then alone, standing on that beautiful tapestry, black lives matter. His connection the connection from john, the boy from troy, to black lives matter, the future of a movement. He was so much a part a movement he was so much a part. May he rest in power. May he rest in peace. I yield. The nation lost an icon. The house lost its most respected member. And the Congressional Black Caucus lost our most Senior Member of our family. The Congressional Black Caucus is known as the conscience of the congress. But john lewis was known as the conscience of our caucus. One of the greatest honors of serving in congress was that i had the possibility of serving with him. I yield to the majority whip from the state of south arolina. Mr. Clyburn i thank the gentlelady for yielding me the time. You know, mr. Speaker, i cringe often when i hear people talk about the 1960s as the Civil Rights Movement. I always put an s on that. The rebellion was in 1739. It was a Civil Rights Movement. The insurrection was 1822. That was a Civil Rights Movement. The Niagara Movement that led to the creation of the naacp more than 100 years ago was the civil right was a Civil Rights Movement. John lewis and i met in october, 1960, at a Civil Rights Movement. Or as long as there are people held in suppression, there will always be a movement for civil rights. Wever, in any movement there will be a few, sometimes only one, that rises head and houlders above all others. And so it was with my good friend, John Robert Lewis. When we met the weekend of october 13, 14, 15, 1960, on the campus of morehouse college, there was a little bit of an insurrection taking place. The College Students felt that we knew how best to do things. We were not listening to Martin Luther king jr. And a few others. And so we asked king to meet with us. And he did. We went into the meeting around 10 00 in the evening. We did not walk out of that room until 4 00 the next morning. Came out of that room i came a of that room having had saul to paul transformation. Ive never been the same since. But, listen to kings plea for nonviolence, i decided, along with most others, to accept nonviolence as a tactic. But not john lewis. He internalized it. It became his way of life. After going through a few issues of the 1960s, you know, john snc in ted president of 1966. D was dethroned in but john then joined the effort, Voter Education project, where he directed the response by the Southern Regional council. As he served as director of the Voter Education project headquartered in atlanta, i became the chair of the Voter Education project in charleston, South Carolina. And we continued that relationship. He got married to a librarian. I got married to a librarian. Though i did so before he did. And they became fast friends. Lillian and emily became fast friends. Will never, ever get John Robert Lewis out of my system. Because he succeeded where i failed. It was a tactic for me. It was a way of life for john lewis. And i yield back. Ms. Bass madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of the special order. I now yield to the speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Bass thank you. I now yield to representative Eleanor Norton mahomes from the district of columbia. The state of the district of olumbia. Ms. Norton i want to thank the gentlewoman from california, karen bass, for leading this special order to our good colleague and friend, john lewis. John and i were elected to the house of representatives about the same time. Actually he was elected a couple of years before i was. But we were colleagues before either of us could have hoped to become members of congress. We were kids together in the student nonviolent coordinating committee, the youth arm of the Southern Civil rights movement. The difference between john and me is i was in law school, so i went in the summer and john was a fulltime member who left snic order to join snlc. And that came out of lunch counters. Ella baker called us all together because it was clear the Civil Rights Movement was developing a youth arm, and ella baker, the great elder of Civil Rights Movement, decided all of us should become we really should become an organization. John was not the first head of snlc. Marion berry was. Because he was a lot more political than john. And hes remembered today more for his politics than for his civil rights ac ac men. When john was acmen. When john was selected chair thrmbings nothing political about it. His qualification was not that he was the strongest, or the most articulate or whatever you want to call it. His strongest qualification was that he was the bravest. Pure and similar. Simple. It is almost impossible to took in the risks john the more than 40 times he was arrested. Because today were so used to civil disobedience. People right now are lying down on pennsylvania avenue, on the george after the george floyd killing. So were used to that. So i really want to call to your attention what it meant when john led young people to be rrested. Everybody has seen the film of him being knocked down as he marched in the front of the line. He had a concussion as a result of that. E never knew , as he led these marches, whether he would come out alive. Let me tell you about these marches, when sncc would kneel down and assume other nonviolent posture the postures. On the other side were not counterdemonstrators. The other side were not people, other people who were confronting us nonviolently. On the other side were the police leading white mobs. I must tell you, they were befuddled by the tactics of sncc and the Civil Rights Movement. Because when you kneel down, nonviolent, they didnt know kuwait what to do with you or about you quite what to do with you or about you. John of course will always be remembered as maybe of the house of representatives. But as i close, i must say, it will be difficult even for john to have done more in the house than he did in the Civil Rights Movement. To do more in congress than he did for his country. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Ms. Bass his legacy to our country is that he devoted his life to fighting for justice, fighting for justice and being a moral compass to our nation. Id like to yield to representative bobby scott from the great state of virginia. Mr. Scott thank you, and i thank the gentlelady for yielding. Mr. Speaker, i rise today for a solemn occasion. Tonight we honor our friend, brother, colleague, the conscience of the congress, a true american icon, congressman john lewis. Words cannot convey the loss to this body, as well as to the nation. But very few can claim to have altered the course of American History the way that john did. He was a Guiding Light to all of us and was a leader trying to make america a more Perfect Union. His steadfast moral leadership will be deeply missed, particularly at this complex time in our history. Those of us here today are standing on his shoulders. His historic life and legacy will undoubtedly live on. But we must be sure to continue his lifes work, particularly when it comes to Voting Rights and restoring the Voting Rights act. We must make some good trouble to honor his enormous legacy. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back. Ms. Bass congressman john lewis spent his life fighting racism and injustice wherever he confronted it, from boy cotts, sits in and other protests in the streets, to championing bold, progressive policies in congress, including the Voting Rights act. I now yield one minute to the representative, Sheila Jackson lee, from texas. Let me come back to you, representative lee. Id like to yield one minute to representative dani davis from the state of illinois. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from illinois is recognized. Ms. Bass one minute. Everyone has one minute. The speaker pro tempore for one minute. Mr. Davis i want to thank the gentlelady. You know, to every man there is a way, a ways, and away. The high souls take the highway. And the low souls take the low. While all the rest on the misty flats drift to and fro. But to every man, there is a way, a ways and away. And each man decided which way his soul shall go. John lewis always took john lewis always took the high road. Always giving of himself in such a way that you knew that he was gracious and kind. John like john i grew up in rural america. Went to a oneroom school. Never had a new school book. John had the faith of a muss starred mustard seed. Said if you want to move a mountain. If you have faith you could move a mountain and if it wouldnt you get yourself some dynamite, some nitroglycerin, some t. N. T. , and ble that sucker up. That was john lewis, may he rest n peace. Now that he is no longer here we must live up to his example. I now yield to representative Sheila Jackson lee from texas. One minute. Ll speakers have one minute. Ms. Jackson lee we are all heart broken. We all are speechless. All are committed to John Robert Lewis beloved community. Ch of us have been touched without ceasing for the spirit he led us in acknowledging even beloved that there was community. He loved his wife and his family and his extended brothers and sisters all the way from alabama to georgia. Im reminded of his ability to love dr. Martin luther king. It is a testament of a mans that able to extend love and not to show envy but to learn an to seek knowledge. John did that. Which allowed him to carry that all the way to the fights of today. John robert lewis, dr. King said, are you the boy from troy . He loved to tell the story. He loved to tell that he preached to the chickens. But his voices for herd by kings and queens. John robert lewis, a saint walking on earth. Im reminded of our days in front of the south african embassy, arrested against genocide. Or fighting against the children in cages. John never stopped his fight. So i come today to honor him in this brief moment that we have to be able to say isnt it good that a saintly man walked on this earth and reminded us of the beloved community. I am very glad to say that i knew and the world knows John Robert Lewis, the boy from troy. With that, i yield back. Ms. Bass i now yield one minute to representative Gregory Meeks from new york. Mr. Meeks John Robert Lewis was short in height, yet he was a giant. John robert lewis was a humble man but fierce for justice. John robert lewis talked softly, but roared like a lion when it was time to fight for freedom, justice, and equality for all humankind. He said there was one race, the human race. Can an individual that make a nation change to make it better. His voice will echo in this chamber forever. It was my honor and pleasure for 22 years to serve with the honorable John Robert Lewis. May he rest in peace. And rise in power. Ms. Bass i yield one minute to representative scott of georgia. Mr. Scott thank you very much. His lewiss mother and afterother named him john john, the apostle. The disciple the scripture said whom jesus loved. John the beloved. And john himself, lewis, dedicated his life to building the beloved community. And one more thing. John lewis being named after must besus apostle, it was that the apostle john the youngest of the disciples. John lewis was the youngest of our civil rights leaders. Who spoke at the momentous march on washington. God blesslewis and we thank god for sending him our way. Ms. Bass i yield one minute to al green, representative al reen of texas. Mr. Green thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i rise to say thank you to a friend and a great warrior. I thank you, dear brother, for being the sermon you preached. You walked your talk. It is said that a great person will always rise to the occasion but its also said that the greater person makes the occasion. He was an occasionmaker and he rose to the occasion on the Edmund Pettus bridge. For this, many of us here onight are here because he marched into brutality. So tonight, i thank you dear brother for being able to withstand what many of us could not and would not. I rise to just say thank you and to let you know that we will never forget you and we will always make it clear that we are here because you were there. Yield back. Ms. Bass i yield one minute to representative Yvette Clarke of new york. Ms. Clarke mr. Speaker, today i se to honor a great man, representative john lewis. This past friday, july 17, our country lost one of our its greatest hero a true patriot who literally put his life on the line in the pursuit of justice and fairness in our society. The honorable john lewis was a hero who embodied the struggle for human rights and dignity. He was a fierce civil rights warrior who refused to abide with the jim crow laws of the south. He embodied what it meant to be a public servant, putting his life on the line and the people above his own selfinterest. Im honored and privileged to have served with John Robert Lewis. John robert lewis who was a dancer. A man who loved to have fun but was convicted for the right to vote. Convicted as an activist for civil rights and civil liberties. I will forever hold dear the miami that we landed in ghana together, invited by the president of ghana for the right to return, to see the wonderment in his eyes of visiting a space where it all began for all of us, 401 years ago. May he rest in peace an rise in power. The honorable john lewis will never be forgotten. We all hold on to his legacy. Ms. Bass to honor mr. Lewis the first thing we need to do is pass legislation restoring the Voting Rights act and get it signed. With eknow the credibility of our elections has shown early signs of concern during several state primaries an Voter Suppression cases coupled with the fact that people are going to have to vote in dangerous conditions can not be ignored. I know if mr. Lewis were still with us, he would be leading that fight. Mr. Speaker, i yield one minute to representative hank johnson from georgia. Mr. Johnson i thank the speaker and i thank the gentlelady from california. R. Speaker, much has been said about my friend, teacher, and mentor, john lewis. He was a family man, married to lillian for 44 years and to that union bore a son, john myles who is with us today, along with john Lewis Brothers and sisters, he was number three of 10. Hes got a large extended family. And that family entrusted john to the world. And for 33 years he was our colleague. For 14 year he was mine. I just want to say to the family that we here in congress feel your pain, we appreciate your sacrifice in allowing john to do what he did for the world and for congress. I want you to know that we stand with you, we feel your pain, and we will never forget your dear brother, uncle, cousin, whoever he was to you, we will never forget him. We know that he loved you. He would depart this place to go to the Family Reunion during the summer down in alabama where the family still owned hundreds of acres of land that they farmed even when his two sharecropping parents gave birth to john. So he was a family man. Thank you, family, for entrusting him to us. With that, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the time will now being mored by congressman Sanford Bishop of georgia. Mr. Bishop we are here today to honor congressman John Robert Lewis. Our hero, our colleague, our brother, our friend. Having known john for 52 years, i can tell you honestly even in his humanity he lived his life in the image of jesus. John was the voice of the voiceless, africanamericans, american, the lgbtq people, for the least and the left out. For anyone mistreated by society. His unwavering sense of right and wrong was a north star for this nation which is why we called him the conscience of the congress. Even as good as people as good as john dont come our way very often. Despite the accolades and recognition he received, genre mained humble, unfailingly kind and always sure of the capacity of people to be better despite past transgressions. Where would america be today if it were not for john lewis . Without his activism, without his courage, without his perseverance for Voting Rights, i doubt if id be here today. Thank you, john, for your lifetime of advocacy, for sacrifice, for friendship and council. And thank you god for the life of John Robert Lewis. At this time, i am delighted to yield to the gentleman from indiana, mr. Andre carson. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Carson thank you, chair, and thank you, mr. Speaker. John lewis was certainly a leader amongst men. He was a mentor. He was a friend. My heart goes out to his family. Our hearts go out to his family. I can remember, mr. Speaker, during the health care vote, coming out of cannon, i ran into john and he asked how many votes do we have left or how much time do we have left . I said i think well make it. We crossed the street along with his chief michael and there were thousands of people yelling, kill the bill, kill the bill, kill the bill. That wasnt it. They were yelling exmetives, racial expletives at the three of us. John looked at me and said, brother andre this reminds me of a darker time, brother. John became a mentor. Wed call him up, hed speak to the muslim community. Wed call him up and hed speak to the folks in indiana who were there when it was announced that dr. King had passed because he was in indianapolis at the time. He was a true he was a true servant, mr. Speaker. Jesus was mentioned, john was like jesus. Im reminded of a scripture when jesus was having a conversation with his disciples about this notion of leadership. And jesus looked at his disciples and said, he who wishes to be chief amongst you shall first be your servant. John was a servant. He wasnt the kind of leader that looked at the protesters today and said, ah, what youre going through is nothing compared to what we went through. He stood in solidarity with those young folks. And embraced those young folks. Like a real leader. And john is an example to all of us, what true Public Servants should be. We love you, john. God bless. The speaker pro tempore mr. Bishop, youre recognized. Mr. Bishop we make our living by what we get. E make a life by what we give. John lewis certainly made a life. Im pleased to yield to the gentlelady from california, ms. Maxine waters. Im happy to yield to the gentlelady from alabama, ms. Sewell. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from selma, alabama, ms. Sewell, is recognized for one minute. Ms. Sewell mr. Speaker, i rise today to honor the life and outstanding legacy of our colleague, friend, mentor and my hero, congressman John Robert Lewis. Growing up as a little girl in selma, alabama, johns incredible legacy was a heros tale as familiar to me as any bible story or family lore. As a little girl singing in the choir, the childrens choir at brown chapel a. M. E. Church, my home church, the church where john and so many wonderful foot soldiers would come time and time again to honor the legacy of the bloody sunday march. But to know john was to know a man without ego. Who despite his welldeserved accolades and successes, loved every person he met. He looked them in the eye, cant you hear him . My brother. My sister, he would say. John loved this country more than any person that i met. And it was his deepseeded patriotism that will live on. His legacy indeed was the Voting Rights act. And we in this body can do something about that. Yes, we can name things for john. But the biggest name, the biggest thing that we can do is rename h. R. 4. We should call it the John Robert Lewis Voting Rights act of 2020 and fully restore the Voting Rights act of 1965. That is the legacy of john lewis. He gave us the road map. Cant you hear him . Never give up. Never give in. Keep your eyes on the prize. Keep the faith. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. Mr. Bishop . Mr. Bishop George Washington carver once said, how far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life, you will have been all of these. That was our friend, john lewis. Im delighted to yield to the gentlelady from ohio, joyce beatty. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from ohio, congresswoman joyce beatty, is recognized for one minute. Mrs. Beatty thank you, mr. Speaker. America has lost a national treasure. One of the worlds greatest fighters and defenders of freedom and justice. Congressman lewis words and work and legacy will live forever. I am so fortunate to have traveled to africa with him and to have marched in my hometown with him. You see, mr. Speaker, when mr. Lewis spoke, you heard the voice of history. A voice that helped stir the conscience of america. And at a time of ugliness and struggle, but also at a time, in an era of hope and accomplishment. So, my colleagues, there is no greater time for us to stand up against injustices that we are facing, no greater time for us to fight for justice and fairness at the ballot box. So, my colleagues, let us make some noise. Let us get in trouble. Good trouble. God bless you, rest in peace, rest in power, my friend. Good trouble. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes mr. Bishop. Mr. Bishop i am pleased to yield to the gentlelady from ohio, ms. Robin kelly. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from illinois, ms. Kelly, is recognized. The gentlelady from illinois. Mr. Bishop i stand corrected. Ms. Kelly thank you, mr. Speaker. I want to share my letter to congressman John Robert Lewis. Dear john. I hope you knew how incredibly honored i was to call you colleague and to serve with you. It was such a great privilege to watch you in action and listen to your stories. When we planned the sitin, being part of the fab five made me so proud. It took a while to get the bill out of the house, but we finally did it. I promise you, when i encounter situations a situation that is just not right, i will stand up, speak out, and get in the way. I plan to carry a piece of you with me forever. I know i will be a better person for it. I hope you, c. T. Vivian, martin, rosa, edgar and Robert Kennedy and others are having a fabulous reunion. Rest in power, my friend. Until we meet again. Love, robin. Mr. Bishop mr. Speaker, how much time remains . The speaker pro tempore youre advised you have 22 minutes remaining. Mr. Bishop thank you. At this time im delighted to yield one minute to the gentlelady from michigan, representative brenda lawrence. The speaker pro tempore congresswoman lawrence is recognized. Mrs. Lawrence thank you. Just this year i remember john urging americans to get into good trouble, necessary trouble, and to help redeem the soul of america. As we combat some of the most hateful messages and priorities driven by this current administration. Today i stand here, john, i promise that i will continue to carry out your legacy. To get into good trouble and to ensure that the fight for equality and justice lives on. And challenge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the same. To do the same and pass the Voting Rights act. John, rest in peace, rest in power. You have been a good and faithful servant. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. Mr. Bishop. Mr. Bishop at this time im delighted to yield to the gentleman from pennsylvania, representative dwight evans. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Dwight evans, is recognized. I rise mr. Speaker, to honor truly a Great American and a reallife hero. I was fortunate enough to have him as a colleague for four years. Congressman john lewis has been the inspiration to me at a very young age. I remember the first time i saw him was on the evening news. He was walking across the pettus bridge. I thought very strongly about him and what he was doing. I was 10 years old. And i found him to be inspiring. He was purposeful. He was driven to make a difference. He was driven to make some good trouble. Now we must carry on with the work of civil rights and equal opportunity. Rest in power, congressman lewis. The speaker pro tempore mr. Bishop. Birn beneficiary at this time im delice mr. Bishop at this time im delighted to yield to the gentlelady from florida, representative val demings. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from florida is recognized. Mrs. Demings mr. Speaker, on june 12, 2016, a loan gunman walked into the Pulse Night Club in orlando, florida, and opened fire with a semiautomatic rifle. That night the shooter killed 49 people and injured 53 others. At the time, it was the largest mass shooting in American History. The Pulse Night Club is in my district. But i was not in congress at the time. But when i saw the members of Congress Taking to the floor and holding a sitin, i was not surprised that the person leading the way was representative john lewis. To him, the victims were a part of the big family john lewis often spoke about. Thank you, john, for never discriminating. Thank you, john, for never leaving people behind. The bible defines the fruit of he spirit as love, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol. John lewis was all of that. To the house, to the nation, and to the world. And i am grateful for his friendship and his counsel and grateful for a life well lived. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. Mr. Bishop. Mr. Bishop at this time im delighted to yield to the gentlelady from georgia, representative lucy mcbath. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from the state of georgia, congresswoman lucy mcbath, is recognized. Rs. Mcbath thank you so much. Thank you so much, mr. Speaker. Tonight we stand in this Great Chamber and mourn our friend, a civil rights icon, and the conscience of congress. John lewis towered over his era. And his loss is deeply felt across this country and across the globe. For marching from freedom in montgomery, to being beaten and bloodied on a bridge in selma. Johns life showed us all the fundamental need for good, necessary trouble. As john would often say, we have a moral obligation, a mission and a mandate to do what we can to make our country and our world a better place. And to help usher in a Loving Community where no one is left out or left behind. His words and his life ring through eternity. We will honor johns legacy with an unshakable determination to fight for what is right and what is just. He served the nation in love. Rest in peace, my friend. We love you. I love you. Thank you. And i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. Mr. Bishop may i request the mount of time remaining . The speaker pro tempore the gentleman has 15 minutes remaining. Mr. Bishop at this time im delighted to yield to the ntleman from maryland, mr. Infome is recognized. Thank you. The passing of john lewis represents the loss of one of our greatest heroes. And for many of us, a dear and old friend. John and i were sworn in together in this chamber 33 years ago as classmates in the 100th congress. Mr. Mfume there were only four africanamericans elected to congress that year. He, myself, floyd flake of new york, and mike espy of mississippi. And we huddled with john here on the floor and he made all of us hug each other and he said, we got here in different ways but we are one band of brothers now. The passion and the equality that he carried with him throughout his life, as we know, never waned. And his untiring quest for justice never faltered. With a big heart for compassion, john, like his mentor, dr. Martin luther king jr. , was unawed by opinion, unseduced by flattery, and undismayed by disaster. Birth in an era of jim crow and vial and vicious segregation, he defied the limitedness of others expectations. John knew that politics changed people. So he set out early to change politics. Everything about him pointed to the fact that he was emblematic of that great band of Freedom Fighters who realized that freedom wasnt free. And so in this era where everyone seems to be searching for the next big thing or the next great thing, isnt it odd, mr. Speaker, that the greatness of john lewis was with us all along. We needed only to look as far as the latest movement for social change to find it. We are sad today, but heaven is rejoicing and john has claimed his final reward. I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. Bishop service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy on this earth. John lewis paid his rent and he paid it well. At this time, im delighted to yield to the gentleman from texas, representative will hurd. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from from 23rd district of texas. Mr. Hurd im shakened by threats and violence, a leader in the Voting Rights who kept fighting. A courageous american undeterred after standing up for what is right. He stood up for what is right. If it werent for the bravery of john, many of us wouldnt be in this chamber today. As a black man, i am not sure i would have the same rights. He never stopped fighting. And at a time when america is so divided, we should look at johns courage for inspiration. And we should look at his bravery for imtation and his words and follow them. I lost a mentor. Johns family lost a father, son, brother and husband. R country lost an American Hero. Rest in peace, my brother. Mr. Bishop im delighted to yield to the gentlelady from california, representative barbara lee. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california is now recognized. Ms. Lee what a void. What a void we feel tonight. Rise to support the life and legacy for a great warrior. The conscience of the congress, congressman john lewis. As a giant of and as our whip indicated, a Civil Rights Movement, johns leadership and his courage continued as an extraordinary congressional leader. Every year, i joined john on his annual pilgrimage to selma, alabama and birmingham, alabama. Among black people, the Martin Luther king Freedom Center and my grandchildren to learn about and give thanks to the foot soldiers of the Civil Rights Movement. John always took time to meet with these young people, even this year with his failing health. He pulled them aside. He met with them. He always wanted and wanted them to take the baton and run the next lap of the race for justice and equality. He came to my district to continue these efforts with my young people. Ast year, Speaker Pelosi and chairwoman went to south africa to observe the 400th anniversary of the first enslaved for instance brought to america. He said ghana was one of the most moving trips of his life and he said, and i quote, to behold another period of our history and it tells us never let this evil happen this again. He was welcomed in ghana as royaltyy and he was horpped as a son of africa who had come home. John and i would compare notes on tough votes such as on matters of war and peace and defense spending. Will miss his counsel and admonishon to do the right thing as he told all of us to keep our eyes on the prize. Members know how we get agitated when we approach our Staff Members. Had a young woman from my office. , i was he told me it thrilled one of my Staff Members had been approached by john. He will be deeply missed. One of the greatest tributes would be to restore the Voting Rights act. I wouldnt be standing here as the 100th black member. My deepest condolences and love to his family, Michael Collins and his staff and his constituents and to all those whose lives he touched. Let us continue to build the community that he so eloquently spoke of. In closing, im reminded of a scripture, chapter verse 7. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. As john lewis soul returns to his creator, may he rest in peace, may he rest in power. Mr. Bishop how much time is remaining . The speaker pro tempore the gentleman has 7 00 remaining. Mr. Bishop as we come to the close of our tribute to our friend, colleague and friend, John Robert Lewis, i leave you malache words of douglas who wrote a tree who never had to fight for sun and sky and air and light that stood out in the open plain and got its share of rain, never became a forest seen, but lived and died a scrubby thing. A man who never had to toil by hand on mine and who never had to earn his share of sun and sky nd light and air, never became a manly man but lived and died as he began. Good timber doesnt grow unease. The stronger wind, the stronger trees. E raufer storm, the greatest strength. Seas, amen. In, in good timbers grow. Was indeed ewis good timber. God bless his soul. May he rest in peace and in power. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. Under the speakers announced policy of january 3, 2019, the gentlewoman from wyoming, ms. Cheney, is now recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader. Ms. Cheney thank you very much, mr. Speaker. And its my honor this evening to oversee the time to manage the time that we have on the republican side to celebrate and remember the life of a tremendous colleague, mr. John lewis. Mr. Speaker, i was very moved having the opportunity to watch my colleagues on the other side of the aisle discuss and describe the impact that congressman lewis had on their lives and all of our lives and on this chamber. And im struck by the fact that as we gather tonight in this chamber, we rise not as representatives of two different political parties, but we rise as representatives, elected representatives of this great nation and a nation that is mourning the loss of a Great American and horpped colleague. As a man, john lewis dedicated his life to service and to the fight of justice and freedom. John lewis taught us, quote, nothing can stop the power of a committed and determined people to make a difference in our society. Why . Because human beings are the most dynamic link to the divine on this planet. He understood one man or one woman could make a difference. Indeed, it is the determined and premmed action of committed men and women that brings change. He knew the blessings of this nation and knew what it took to secure blessings for all americans. He knew that the fight was unfinished. The day i was sworn in for the first time, i was standing just outside these doors in the speakers lobby and just arrived with my dad, who joined me on the floor that day. By chance as we were coming in, we met john lewis standing in the lobby. And the three of us had the chance before the ceremony to spend some time together. The two of them didnt agree on much. But they did agree on certain critical things. They agreed on the exceptional nature of this country, on the mag knife sense of this, the members house, and on the blessings of freedom. And i am blessed by the memory of that day and i am blessed when i was about to be sworn in into this house i was able to spend time with those two men. John lewis said this, quote, freedom is not a state. It is an act. It is not some enchanted garden perched high on a disstant plateau where we can sit down and rest. Freedom is the continuous action we must all take and each generation must create a more fair and just society. Great men and women, like john lewis, and every generation have known this, that we all have an obligation toll defend our freedom, to fight for it, to do our part, to be worthy of the sacrifices who have gn before. One of the greatest gifts we can give to people today is to teach them that lesson, teach them our history, convey to them the duty, obligation and the blessing of being an american and working to make sure that we pass this nation this nation to our children and grandchildren more perfect than it is today. Our colleague, congressman john lewis, dedicated his life to that ideal. He will be a blessing to us all. His colleagues here in the house, to his family, to his quints and to his fellow americans. God bless john lewis. And god bless United States of america. Thank you very much. And with that, i will yield to the gentleman from North Carolina, mr. Walker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from North Carolina is recognized. Mr. Walker we are horpped to participate in this special order, and we will look forward to hearing from our speakers in honoring the great john lewis. And we would like to begin with mr. Steny hoyer. Do you yield time to him . We will skip right over that quick. Well start with opening comments and wait until he shows up. Over this past weekend, america not only lost a civil rights and con, a loving father friend to this bead, congressman john lewis. His courage and strength in the face of oppression is unmatched. His contributions to americas soul is paramount to the progress we have made in our history. His experience on bloody sunday left him battered and covered in blood in selma, alabama. He carried on. Many years ago, john lewis crossed the bridge fighting for freedom and a path what our Founding Fathers had pledged. I was horpped to have the opportunity to walk across this very bridge in selma and horpped the brave steps, rallying an entire nation, the fact that i was asked to give a closing remark is something that i will always treasure. John lewis protests inspired our nation not only to do better but reflect on our actions. He made monumental progress. He would like to refer to these acts as the trouble. We dont share many of the political opinions, there was never a doubt that he lived his entire life fighting for his country and the American People. He gave us hope, hope to get over this partisan divide and divisions of the past. May we never lose his spirit and forever honor his legacy and never let hatred and evil tear down those bridges. I yield to our whip, congressman steve scalise. The speaker pro tempore the republican whip is recognized. Mr. Scalise thank you, mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague from North Carolina and i join my colleagues both democrat and republican who mourn the loss of john lewis. We have so many honors to serve in a job like this where we able to represent the people where you truly bring in all of the different elements of what makes America Great and people who represent every different type of back grouped and every different kind of community, kind of people that we get to serve with and there are giants among the people that we have the honor of serving with. John lewis was john lewis was at the top of that list. And you knew it when you served with him. I remember telling colleagues years ago that while we have our differences, its really important to go get to know, especially some of the legends, the giants that we serve with in this body. I remember talking about two members in particular. It was john lewis. And sam johnson. One democrat, one republican. Two people who were just giants. Unfortunately weve now lost both of them. In the last year. Our institution is better because john lewis was a part of this great body. But its what john fought for his whole life. When, i know my colleague from North Carolina, as well as my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus, talked about earlier, his mantra of good trouble. What john experienced in his life there are so many people who have freedoms today they would never have if john hadnt gone through that. I had an honor like so many of my colleagues to go with john, he invited members from both parties, to go to selma, to be a part of reliving that history, which was a dark side of our history. Bloody sunday. But one that john used as a teachable moment. To bring people from all parts of this country to walk across that Edmund Pettus bridge. And i got to walk arm in arm with john. It was one of the great honors ive had as a member of congress, to be able to do that. And the whole time youre walking with him, this could be a moment that john wants to just leave in his past. Because he was so brutally beaten. But he wanted to share the experiences. As we were walking, we would round the corner and he would point to different buildings. He said, thats where we gathered. Thats where some of the people who were trying to stop us would be. He helped organize the student nonviolent committee, sncc, sncc. And he started at a young age in the Civil Rights Movement, at a time when it was not only difficult, but it was possibly lifethreatening, and for many, they did lose their life in that battle. And john lost blood. He shed blood. For the cause. But he never took it as a moment to get down. He never took it as a moment to be bytyqier. He wanted to continue fighting, to make america a more Perfect Union, and he did. And thats what well remember about john. Well remember his warm hearted spirit. He was one of those very few people, in a body like this, where when he stood at the podium to speak, no matter what side you were on, on that issue, you stopped, you sat down and you listened. Because you knew you were listening to somebody who was larger than life. Johns in a better place right now. But americas a better place because john was here. God bless john lewis and his family. And i yield back to my friend from North Carolina. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. Mr. Walker. Mr. Walker thank you. Id like to recognize doris matsui from california. Ms. Matsui thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak in honor of beloved colleague and wonderful friend, john lewis. I first met john when my late husband, bob, was a member of congress. Bob loved john. He loved him for his humanity, his conviction, and the fact that he was a total human being. I hadnt heard so much about john i had heard so much about john because he was a historic figure, but i saw another side of him when bob brought him to sacramento and he met many people and remember his walking across a University Campus with the president of the university. When he ran across bob and he and john a bunch of chickens that the students were advocating for to keep on campus. And the president was saying, no, we have to get the chickens out. And the president says, excuse me, mr. Lewis, but were going to get rid of those chickens. And john said, no way youre going to get rid of those chickens. I learned to preach by preaching to chickens. And that is the part of john that i really loved too. That humorous part, the part you can laugh with. But this gentle giant lived also every single day to overcome injustice, eradicate racism and give hope to all who walked beside him. And hes a total person. And at this moment in our history, when speaking truth to power is so vital, its more important than ever to follow johns words. To stand up, speak out and keep your eyes on the prize. John taught us all that america is greater than the sum of its parts. When you weave a rich, colorful tapestry, the weaving itself makes it strong. His impact will be forever felt in our nations conscience and were all better for it. At this time difficult, my prayers are with the lewis family and all his friends and he will be sorely missed. I love you, john. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. Mr. Walker mr. Speaker, id like to recognize, only first makes sense to john lewis colleagues, the delegation from georgia, starting with our deputy whip, congressman ferguson. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Ferguson thank you, mr. Speaker. And the gentleman from North Carolina, thank you for allowing me to do this. I rise to honor tonight, honor the life and legacy of john lewis. John had dedicated his life to equality and justice in the nation we are so blessed to live in, its better because of his work and his sacrifice. John was driven by his deep faith, his servant heart, and his love of his fellow human being. While john was always right to fight for legal changes, to make america better, he ultimately knew that how you treated your fellow human being was a matter of the heart. And john led by example. He led by showing love and grace to all people. He showed, even though he showed love and grace even to though piece those people who disagreed with him or showed him contempt. John was always willing to offer forgiveness to those who had done him wrong. Knowing that forgiveness was fundamental to building a relationship built on trust and love. Two of my most vivid memories and treasured experiences here during my time in congress involved john. One was a dinner at his house. He invited the georgia delegation over and he retold the story of his life and experiences in the Civil Rights Movement. What a cherished memory and experience. The second was the night that we honored another georgia giant here. Former house member and former u. S. Senator Johnny Isaacson. I remember the night that Johnny Isaacson and john lewis met in the center and embraced in true love, friendship and respect. Truly an amazing moment. John was an amazing man and i believe that the only thing john lewis ever hated was hate itself. Est in peace, our dear friend. Mr. Walker mr. Speaker, id like to recognize the gentlelady from new york, nita lowey. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from new york, ms. Nita lowey, is recognized. Mrs. Lowey mr. Speaker. I rise to honor the memory of congressman john lewis. An American Hero, a dear friend. He taught us what patriotism is. That to love a country is to acknowledge and work to repair its imperfections. Congressman lewis endured angry mobs, death threats, so much violence with endurance, persistence and even warmth and optimism. Surely we can honor his remarkable life by coming together to reauthorize the Voting Rights act, to ensure our laws reflect that black lives matter. Advocating for the nations marginalized throughout his life, acting as the conscience of the congress during his 34 years of service, he inspired generations of americans to get in good trouble. I remember sitting on the floor with john. Rather than sitting on the chair, we were proving our point and all sitting on the floor. He has taught us so much with his sweet, sweet manner. But the strength of his conviction. We must honor congressman lewis legacy by striving to achieve the equitable and just society for all that he fought so hard to attain, in the words of john himself. If not us, then who . If not now, then when . Dear, sweet, kind john. We will miss you. We love you. May you rest in peace. Mr. Walker mr. Speaker, id like to recognize the gentleman from georgia, representative austin scott. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia, mr. Scott, is recognized. Mr. Scott thank you, mr. Speaker. Id like to thank the gentlelady from North Carolina for a few minutes, to speak about my friend and colleague, congressman john lewis. A man that i loved and i will miss dearly him saying, i love you too, brother. Theres no telling how many times john lewis told the people of this house, i love you too, brother. And he looked at everybody, no matter who you were, as a brother. I selfishly thought about how much i was going to miss him and seeing him and Michael Collins on a delta, ready to fly up here. I always got a kick out of the fact that people from my district would sit down next to me and say, did you see john lewis on the plane . And by the way, what do you do . And that was just the way people loved john lewis. Theres not a person walking in this country today that didnt benefit from john lewis and what he did for mankind. And i would venture to say that the majority of the people in the world benefited from his love and what he did. So i thought about a few passages. Weve talked about him preaching to the chickens and maybe the chickens he was were the chickens he was preaching to his whole life. I remember his attitude. Blessed are the peace makers for they should be called the children of god. If there was ever a peace maker that i met, it was john lewis. If you follow from there, blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. A little further into the book of matthew, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father, which is in heaven. There is no doubt, leaning ladies and gentlemen, that john lewis was a special man. He was a special man of god. A special man of god. And while his bones, his bones may rest, his legacy will live on forever in this body. And i for one look very forward to the day that a statue of john lewis rests in the halls of this congress. Representing not only the great state of georgia and the people of the state of georgia, but all of the men and women of the United States. Mr. Walker thank you, representative scott. We would like to recognize the gentlelady from california, susan davis. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california, congresswoman susan davis, is recognized. Mrs. Davis thank you, thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with John Robert Lewis passing, we lose and deeply mourn a great friend and mentor. And the world loses the most respected, good troublemaker of our time. John standing will only grow as his legacy endures. Mr. Speaker, every year since ive been in congress, i asked john to speak to entering High School Seniors from san diego who visited our capitol as part of an in depth civics and leadership program. And for 20 years, with each new group of 45 very diverse students, he gave his time, his energy and wisdom, graciously answering theiren their many spirited questions. And they too will never forget him. And how he changed them. And heres just a brief example. Alejandra from 2001 said, mr. Lewis taught her not to be afraid to rock the boat every once in a while. And david from 2015 said, he truly showed us what it meant to be a change maker, to live through our actions, and speak up against injustice. He taught our children well. John, you taught and changed me. And everyone you touched. Thank you. And thank you, Michael Collins, and all of johns staff, who have the hardest task of all, to say to visitors captured by johns words, im sorry, but the congressman must depart now. Mr. Walker mr. Speaker, id like to recognize fellow pastor and representative from georgia, representative jody hice. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Hice thank you, mr. Speaker. And i thank my good friend from North Carolina. Theres no question that all of us who have served with john lewis mourn the passing of this towering figure who devoted his life to fighting for freedom and equality. An interesting perspective of his life is the sign of alabama sharecroppers. John lewis demonstrated that in america, a single individual, even one coming from the most humble backgrounds, can have an inenormous impact in this country an enormous impact in this country. We all know he rose to be a powerful leader in the Civil Rights Movement, worked very closely with dr. Martin luther king and so many other great heroes who sacrificed their lives to ensure that americans of all races live in liberty in this country. He once wrote this and this has a great, powerful meaning, he said release the need to hate, to Harbor Division and release all bitterness. Hold only love. Only peace in your heart. Knowing that the battle of good overcome evil is already won. John lewis knew it was necessary to fight the since of this country, but he understood to fight those in a nonviolent way and i have the deepest respect for john lewis and am honored to have considered a dear friend. And i want to thank all my colleagues this evening for joining in this time to honor a reat man and an icon particularly in the Civil Rights Movement. But my wife and i continue to pray for the lewis family and i say thank you to all my colleagues for joining tonight and i yield back. Mr. Walker i recognize the gentleman from new jersey, congressman donald payne. Mr. Payne i would like to thank the gentleman from North Carolina for allowing me several minutes to pay my respects to a great man. s not remiss that i see the speaker pro tempore, very appropriate that you are in the seat tonight, sir. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to honor john lewis. Con, civil erican i rights legend and dear friend and inspiration to millions. Yet, these words truly fail to describe the difference he made in our country. He always spoke of getting into good trouble, and i know thats been echoed here on numerous occasions, but it supplements up what mr. Lewis was all about. His efforts led to the civil rights act. His efforts led to the Voting Rights act. And his efforts led to the Congressional Black Caucus. And even the election of president obama. But his loss is more than his legacy. Or me, once again, i have lost one of my facility theyre fathers on the floor of congress. He was a role model for what makes a great congressman. And i constantly watched as he moved about his business. I liked the way he always fought for the right thing. The way he could convey such ower and strength through such a gentle demeanor. But when he had passion and was committed, there is no one else on this floor you would rather have with you going into that fight. And the way he stood up to abuse to make this country a better place. One of my greatest honors was to be a part of the sitins he led on the house floor to fight for gun control legislation after he terrible, terrible dreadful florida issue. We got into some good trouble that day. He inspired us then. And his words and deeds will inspire a new generation, whether they are civil rights pioneers, elected first or any american with a dreamer cause. God bless you, mr. Lewis. Your life made our country and our world a better place. And with that, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. Mr. Walker may i get a time remaining . The speaker pro tempore the gentleman has 32 minutes remaining. Mr. Walker i recognize the gentleman from georgia, mr. Rick allen. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Allen i thank you for this privilege. Mr. Speaker, Many Americans learned about the Civil Rights Movement in the news or read about it in history books. John lewis lived it. One of my greatest memories was to have dinner with congressman lewis at his home where he shared with the entire georgia delegation his experience in leading the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. Ared with me with that king prayed with him on the buses and urged everyone to remain to ensure lasting change. I think we can learn all from the example that congressman wis set as a civil rights icon and meet injustice with humility and injustice to do what is right. Proud and fear is the opposite of humility. John lewis and all those in this movement demonstrated perfect love while being persecuted. Perfect love cast out all fear and only comes from god and obedience to his word and was perfectly demonstrated at the cross of jesus christ. Y wife robin and i pray that his family finds peace in this difficult time. And we honor those who like john lewis who have come before us and fought for an america that is stronger and unified by putting aside our differences to serve the American People in perfect love. And i yield back. Mr. Walker i recognize the gentleman from memphis, mr. Steve cohen. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from tennessee is now recognized. Mr. Cohen i appreciate the time, mr. Walker and the last time i saw john lewis was march 5, his birthday and you offered the prayer and it showed me the respect he had for you. There was not a more perfect person that served in congress, certainly that i have known in my life than john r. Lewis. He had every quality that you would desire in a human being and couldnt imagine a person. He was a hero of the Civil Rights Movement and cared about the gin justices that he had even as an africanamerican and aunched him on hiffle rights struggles. It was people of different issues of discrimination, whether it was gays and less byians, native americans or women, and people being victims. John lewis took up the cause and he stood up for everybody. He did not know color, gender, any differences in people, he loved all people. It was an honor to serve with him. Early in my career, the American Bar Association presented the day award to him, john lewis and myself, the award was nothing that i was with john lewis. It made me felt much greater. I had the great honor tore. Avel him to south africa and i saw and i sat across from tutu and i saw wo special souls united. Mr. Lewis loved two people in life that were his heroes. One was dr. King and the other was robert contendy. And that purpose of that trip was to honor robert contendy in that 50th anniversary and in saidspeech, Robert Kennedy Human History is shaped each time the man improves the life of others or strikes out against injustice and crossing each other from energy endearing they an build down the walls of resistance. Robert kennedy may have been speaking about john lewis that day in 1964, because that is what john lewis did and more than a ripple of hope but a tsunami of hope. And in every good cause sacrificed himself in alabama and South Carolina and even when he was in congress and even when he was og deaths doorstep and e got to go to black lives matter plaza to give young people to hope to people. I value every single moment i spent with congressman lewis. It was an honor to know him and i miss him. And i looked up at the score board and i didnt know how to vote, i looked to john lewis to see how he voted. He wasnt there. Thank you for yielding my time. Mr. Walker i recognize another mr. Lewis colleagues. Mr. Carter there are places and people i remember. I will always remember john lewis. There are people that you have been honored to have met. You feel like you are one of the lucky ones to hear their stories and learn their convictions and hear their triumphs. Anyone who had the opportunity to meet john lewis would agree that he is one of those people. Was born the son of sharecroppers and attended segregated Public Schools and i remember him telling us the story how he used to breach to the chickens and went on from that humble beginning to be called one of the courageous persons that the civil rights produced, a title he rightfully deserved. He secured equality and justice for all people while remaining an advocate for nonviolence. It must have been an incredible pleasing to see how his fight changed the world with his own eyes. His office was in the Cannon Building for many years and oftentimes as we walking over here, i got to walk with him. And every word, just to have the opportunity to spend time with someone like john lewis. I will always be grateful for my walks. Many of my colleagues mention that he invited us to his home in washington. What Great Stories he told us. One of the greatest experiences that i have had here in washington, d. C. ,. He was a giant among men. He will be deeply missed. But his legacy will live on forever. I yield back. Mr. Walker we would like to recognize mr. James mcgovern from massachusetts. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Mcgovern mr. Speaker, sharing a jail cell with john lewis was one of the greatest privileges. When we were arrested a few years back, we were put into a police van, booked and fingerprinted. John had been arrested for 40 times for peaceful protests. He had some advice. John made trouble like this because he knew that words arent enough, that real change requires action. He called the struggle of a lifetime but never his struggle alone. He challenged all of us to fight injustice and oppression and stand up for human rights. He was a great man. He is an American Hero who called our country to a higher standard but more importantly, he was a good man and is treated every Single Person he met with dignity and respect. When he saw wrong in this world, he did his best to make it right. We miss you already, john. We love you. And we will never stop making good trouble in your name. I yield back. Mr. Turner thank you, mr. Speaker. John lewis has a true legacy of leadership in this house. And he changed the world that we live in. When congressman lewis would take the podium, everyone in this house would fall silent and listen to him. I doubt in his long career in this house that the speaker ever had to hammer the house into order to listen to john lewis speak. A man who fought for the Voting Rights act, john lewis legacy demands that congress act. I call on congress to pass and send to the president s desk for signature the bipartisan h. R. 1799, renewing the Voting Rights act. Congressman lewis was a giant in history. But he was a humble man in this house. He treated every member the same. And with dignity. He will be missed. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. Mr. Walker thank you, mr. Speaker. Wed like to recognize the gentleman from california, mr. Cardenas. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california is recognized. Mr. Cardenas thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I appreciate this honor, to honor one of the most beautiful human beings that ever walked this earth. Many of us believe in god. Many of us try to be the best that we can be. Ut few of us are capable and able to live a life of true love , of tremendous dignity, and respect for every Single Person who comes our way. I wish i could learn how to turn my cheek the way john lewis proved he could and did. I mourn his passing, but i celebrate the honor of knowing that he lived. And also knowing that i could go to him on the floor of this house or in the hallways of congress and go to him and speak with him and learn from him and then say, i love you, brother. And then to have him tell me, and i selfishly relish the opportunity to hear him say, i love you too, brother. As i gave him a hug and he hugged me back. Im unfortunate that i grew up in a very strict household where my mother and father only said i love you to the big boys and girls and adults very few times. Once we got off their knee, it just didnt happen very often. But john lewis reminded me how much i missed that and in a selfish way, thats one of the reason i always rushed to him and asked him reason i always rushed to him and asked him and said, i love you, knowing he would always say, i love you. And with all his heart mean it. Im going to miss him. Some of my family members were fortunate to meet him and to know him. And i feel blessed to know that he was my friend as well. May he rest in peace. Mr. Walker thank you, mr. Speaker. I would like to remind if we can keep the remarks about one minute, well get as many as we can in tonight. With that, id like to recognize the lady from indiana, representative brooks. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Mr. Brooks mr. Speaker, mrs. Brooks mr. Speaker, i rise today to honor and remember my friend, the civil rights pioneer, congressman john lewis. A true gentle giant among us. He walked the talk. And we watched him walk the talk in these halls of congress for many years. From his years as a student at fisk university, to his last days as one of the most influential members of congress. He didnt let bad actors, he didnt let people who were trying to do him harm or even cancer slow him down from his fight for equality until the very end. He led many members of congress on that march in selma. Civil rights pilgrimage that i and my husband were honored to join him a couple of years ago. Where we went to memphis and montgomery, birmingham, selma. He walked the talk and walked with us and shared with us the memories of that painful journey. For him and all of those students and all of the people that he led across that bridge. And he took our hands and we all walked together. He then later that year came to indianapolis where he was the keynote speaker, because our community celebrated the Kennedy King Memorial Initiative becoming a National Historic site. Indianapolis was the site where senator Robert Kennedy informed our city that dr. Martin luther king had been killed 50 years on that night, 50 years ago. It was in indianapolis in 1968 that i learned that john lewis learned about dr. King, his friend, his mentor, his hero, he learned of his death. He had not been to this park in indianapolis for 50 years. And yet he came there as the keynote speaker and he brought together our community. Democrats, republicans, hispanics, africanamericans, whites. Everyone stood together to hear his words and to honor him and to pay tribute to his legacy, to the legacy of dr. King and to the legacy of senator Robert Kennedy. John was our friend. He walked the talk. Hes walking in heaven now. Hes showing us all how to walk the talk. And now its up to us to not let him down. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. Mr. Walker. Mr. Walker thank you, mr. Speaker. Id like to recognize the gentlewoman from michigan, ms. Haley stevens. Ms. Stevens congressman john lewis. The embodiment of human prosperity as measured by love. Not only was he the richest man i have ever known, he was bsolutely the most generous. John lewis gave out love. And, boy, did love come back. He was always showering people in love. When i saw him in kentucky, long before i knew i would ever join this chamber, at the encouragement of a friend from georgia, he was talking about comiccon. Nd his new book with pictures, march had just come out. We have so much work to do. John lewis, we will heed your words. We will not despair. We will look up. We will keep moving and marching forward and we will pass that Voting Rights act and we will remain dedicated to your pursuits. Thank you. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. Mr. Walker. Mr. Walker mr. Speaker, id like to recognize representative angie craig from minnesota. The speaker pro tempore congresswoman craig from minnesota is now recognized. Last week our country lost a fearless fighter for civil rights, a hero, and we in this chamber lost a colleague and a friend. Representative john r. Lewis sense of fairness, of right and wrong, was always ahead of its time. That sense of fairness extended to the civil rights issues, all civil rights issues. His willingness to support opening up the 1964 civil rights act, to add protections for the lgbtq community, was critical and personally incredibly meaningful to me. My colleague and i over my term in Congress Found that we had something very important in common. We both were adoptive parents. His bill, the every child deserves a family act, is another example of his commitment to fairness. Eliminating discrimination against the Lgbt Community in foster and adoption. He took time to listen to my story, of my fight to keep my son, josh, in a yearslong court battle. He understood that all that should matter is that children have safe, loving homes. He understood that right is always right. My heart tonight is with his family and my commitment is to continue his work, to restore and protect the Voting Rights act, to address systemic racism, and to do what is kind and good and just. Rest in power, mr. Lewis. We promise to work today, next week, next month, next year, just as you did. For our lifetime. With that, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. Mr. Walker. Mr. Walker mr. Speaker, its my privilege to introduce the majority leader. And as hes coming, i want to express to him my thanks for allowing me to have the honor to pray for representative john lewis at his Birthday Party this past march. Its a privilege and a memory that i will cherish. With, with that, id like to recognize the majority leader. The speaker pro tempore the recognize the majority leader, congressman steny hoyer. Mr. Hoyer i thank the gentleman for his remarks. Some in my generation remember , abraham, martin and john. And then, of course, there was bobby. All four taken from us far too arly in their lives. , this sed each of us nstitution, and this country healthving to john lewis for eight decades. He used that health and strength to serve his god, his faith, his country, and is people. I can say that john lewis was my friend. But then again, we could all say that john lewis was our friend. Nd 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. All the positive attributes that humanity can summon. And that is why you hear from both sides of the aisle, from all ideologies, from people of different colors and different races and different genders and different nationalities and perhaps even different languages. Certainly different languages for he was just not an american. Though proud he was of that. E was a citizen of humanity. Someone who, as somebody said earlier today, we hear about andhi, we talk about christian values. But no one we know has lived and breathed it was jim clyburn that said it who was those attributes. Not that he believed in them or talked about he embodied the , theyre 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. They were inspired by john lewis. They were motivated and uplifted by john lewis. To speaker, how lucky we are e able to say john lewis was our friend. I knew john lewis. John lewis made a personal difference in my life and the life of millions of other people who may not even know the name of john lewis. But he enriched their lives. He made them freer. E made their country better. Mr. Speaker, if i had another hour or another day or another week, i would not run out of about john to say lewis. But his life and his contributions need no elevation for his r any others fe is a book of goodness, of courage, of commitment, of vision and great accomplishment. We sing the song god bless erica and God Bless America and the world with john a ceremony will be held on monday starting at 1 30 p. M. Eastern. America will be allowed to pay their respects on monday and tuesday. Per the washington dc mayors order, masks will be required to enter the line. The lewis family will provide Additional Details regarding arrangements beyond the capital ceremony including a procession throughout washington, d. C. Where members of the public will be able to pay their respect. The family requests that members of the public do not travel to washington, d. C. From around the country given the coronavirus pandemic. A Funeral Service was held for river c. T. Vivian atlanta. I dont go as far back as some of the others. Have been knowing him for a long time. I loved him for what he did what he said for