Larson Statement on the Passing of Rep. John Lewis

Hartford, CT – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement on the passing of Civil Rights Leader, long-time public servant, and friend, Rep. John Lewis (GA-05):

"There are no words to describe the pain that many Americans are feeling across the country this morning, waking up to the news that our conscience, our friend, our inspirational leader, John Lewis has passed away. I am heartbroken. I am honored and humbled to have served alongside him, to have had him take my children, as he has done for so many Americans in the Faith and Politics march every year, through historic march in Selma, across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, and to have called him a friend.

"John Lewis never stopped fighting. From his time leading the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and working with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the rest of the ‘Big Six', to his time in Congress, he fought day in and day out for a more just and equal country. He was the living embodiment of the teaching of Dr. King and led nonviolent, peaceful protests for human rights and racial equality. We will never be able to thank him for all that he has done to move our country forward.

"The day the House passed the Affordable Care Act, after a day of hateful protests, urging us to ‘kill the bill', John Lewis stood up and reminded us that we must do what is right. 45 years prior, he had marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge and almost lost his life. That day he called on all of us to link arms together and pass the bill, and that is what we did.

"In 2016, we caused some ‘good trouble' as he would say, with the rest of the Democratic Caucus and held a sit in on the House floor, calling for action on the gun violence epidemic that is plaguing our nation.

"My heart goes out to John Lewis's family, friends, and staff today. The United States Congress lost our conscience and dear friend."