Lewis ‘in a class by himself ’

In 1986 John Lewis pulled a clear upset by defeating Georgia state Sen. Julian Bond in a Democratic primary for Congress. The race was ultimately viewed as the workhorse against the showhorse, and the workhorse won, and I was captivated by it.

Julian Bond was such a prominent, impressive, high profile Black leader in the South. He was articulate, outspoken, and appeared destined for great things, and here was this absolute resolute man, John Lewis, who risked his life time and again, determined to bring Blacks into the mainstream, regardless of the cost to him personally, seeking the same office.

When John was elected to Congress instead of Julian Bond, I thought one way or the other, I had to meet this man. So when I was elected to Congress in a special election just 10 months later, after the passing of Stewart McKinney, I went up to Lewis and said, “Mr. Lewis, more than anyone in Washington, including President Reagan, I wanted to meet you.”

I then said, “Mr. Lewis, I consider you the most important and impressive public servant I will have the privilege to serve with, and I hope to have the opportunity to work with you as long as I am a member of Congress.

Over the next 21 years we worked together on a number of issues, and became good friends. But John was good friends with so many within Congress, and throughout the country. I could tell John anything, and ask him anything, without fear of judgment or criticism. I love the observation made by others that, “John never made you feel guilty. But he made you feel responsible.”

John was impressive, in a class by himself, but he was not impressed with himself. As long as I served with John, he was determined to introduce and spotlight the countless civil rights luminaries throughout the South who had risked their livelihood and lives, but never received the recognition he received.

John always knew he was part of something bigger than himself. I absolutely love the man.

‘John never made you feel guilty. But he made you feel responsible.’

Former U.S Rep. Christopher Shays represented Connecticut’s 4th District from 1987 to 2008. He currently resides in Maryland.