U.S. House pays tribute to John Lewis
ATLANTA – A black drape now hangs above the door of U.S. Rep. John Lewis’ office in the U.S. Capitol complex, and there are black ribbons across his name plate. Colleagues and staff left notecards expressing their love and grief.
Lewis, a civil rights hero who represented Atlanta in Congress for nearly 34 years, died Friday at age 80.
“Rest in peace and power, John,” U.S.
Rep. Eric Swalwell, a Democrat from California, wrote on a notecard taped to the door. “Thank you for the work you did to lift up so many others. While the Capitol feels emptier without you, your spirit inspires me and so many to keep marching. March on!”
The members of Georgia’s congressional delegation stood together Monday morning on the House floor to lead a tribute to Lewis, followed by a moment of silence. U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, now the delegation’s longest-serving member and “dean,” led off by giving remarks about his longtime colleague and friend.
“He inspired us as the conscience of the Congress, and we have all been truly blessed to know, love and share the life and legacy of this extraordinary human being,” the Albany Democrat said.
U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, the delegation’s seniormost Republican, also spoke. “Our nation has indeed lost a giant,” he said, “and it’s times like this that we must be reminded of the shoulders we stand on, shoulders of giants like John Lewis.”
Despite social distancing rules meant to prevent members from congregating on the House floor, there were dozens who stuck around for the Lewis tribute that was held in between routine votes. They stood in silence for a moment of reflection before breaking out in sustained applause.
A clerk tasked with reading the bereavement resolution was overcome with emotion, her voice cracked after she read official notice of Lewis’ death.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told members earlier in the day that funeral arrangements for Lewis won’t be announced until later in the week out of respect for another leader in the civil rights movement who also died Friday, the Rev. C.T. Vivian, whose funeral is scheduled for Thursday. Lewis’ family can request that his body lay in state at the U.S. Capitol, although the complex has been closed to visitors since March because of the coronavirus pandemic.