For Immediate Release
July 22, 2020
WASHINGTON D.C.— Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán made the following remarks on the floor of the U.S. House during the special order speeches honoring the life of Congressman John Lewis.
For version without captions please reach out to BarraganPress@mail.house.gov
Like so many of us here, I was inspired by John Lewis and his lifelong fight for our country to truly live up to its ideals. To be more tolerant, more just, and more equal.
He was fearless. He sacrificed his own body – bloodied by bully clubs and taking beatings from police – in hopes that future generations of people of color would not have to.
That battle has not yet been won.
He was my hero. I called him Mr. Lewis when I arrived in Congress, but he always said, “Call me John.” He was so humble and supportive.
Hearing John Lewis tell first-hand stories of the fight for civil rights was a privilege. Walking the Edmund Pettus Bridge with him was something I will never forget.
We will honor his life by continuing to, as he said, cause “good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.”
As he wrote, “Freedom is the continuous action we all must take, and each generation must do its part to create an even more fair, more just society.”
We will try. Thank you, John.
###