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CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER JOHN LEWIS VISITS HARTFORD

July 10, 2006
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 10, 2006

CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER JOHN LEWIS VISITS HARTFORD
Larson and Lewis meet with community leaders

HARTFORD ? U.S. Representatives John B. Larson (CT-1) and John Lewis (GA-5) met with Hartford community leaders to discuss the importance of religious, political, and civic leaders coming together to address issues of their community and neighborhoods.

Congressman Lewis has served in the U.S. Congress since 1986 and was recognized as one of the Big Six leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. He has dedicated his life to protecting human rights, securing civil liberties, and building what he calls ?The Beloved Community? in America.

While in Hartford, Congressman Lewis met with community leaders of Hartford?s North End, took part in an ecumenical conference with religious leaders from the greater Hartford area, and visited a youth summer program at the Northwest Hartford Boys and Girls Club.

Larson stated: ?John Lewis is often referred to as ?the conscience of the U.S. Congress.? He represents the living history of the struggle for civil rights and commands widespread respect for his humanitarian service. I am especially pleased that he has made the time to discuss nonviolence as way of life with our community. As a leader with the Faith and Politics Institute I look forward to working with Congressman Lewis, the political and religious leadership of Hartford, and the community to examine potential models that can provide opportunities to Hartford?s neighborhoods. I want to use John Lewis?s experience in the civil rights movement as a model for igniting a cultural, spiritual, and economic rival in the Greater Hartford community.?

Lewis stated: ?It was an honor to share my experiences as a leader in the Civil Rights Movement with religious and community leaders of the greater Hartford area. As was often said during the Civil Rights Movement, our struggle was more than one day, one season or one year. It was more than one presidential term or one legislative session, it was the struggle of a lifetime. Each generation must continue to do its part to win some victory for humanity. The religious and community leaders of Hartford need to carry that message through their work in order to best serve and fight to bring Hartford closer to the Beloved Community.?

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Issues:Local