Memorializing the Honorable John Lewis

Floor Speech

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Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, sharing a jail cell with John Lewis was one of the greatest privileges of my life.

When we were arrested for protesting the genocide in Darfur a few years back, we were put into a police van, booked, and fingerprinted. John had been arrested over 40 times for peaceful protests by that point, so let's just say he had some advice.

John made trouble like this because he knew that words aren't enough and that real change requires action. He called it the struggle of a lifetime, but it was never his struggle alone. He challenged all of us to fight injustice and oppression and to stand up for civil rights and for human rights.

Mr. Speaker, John was a great man. He was an American hero who called our country to a higher standard. But perhaps more importantly, he was a very good man. He treated every single person he met, no matter who they were, with dignity and respect. When he saw wrong in this world, he did his best to make it right.

Lisa, Patrick, Molly, and I miss you already, John. We love you, and we will never stop making good trouble in your name.

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