[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 156 (Thursday, December 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REPRESENTATIVE JOHN LEWIS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 2, 2010

  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, Congressman John Lewis of Georgia is an 
icon of courage, dignity, and perseverance. He risked his life in the 
struggle for civil rights for all Americans, he stood with Dr. King as 
one of that movement's most eloquent and inspirational leaders, and he 
has held steadfast to the principle of equal justice in every part of 
his public life, from the Freedom Rides to his service in the House. I 
am proud to call him a dear friend--and I am proud that his leadership 
has recently been honored with two prestigious awards.
  On November 17, President Obama announced Congressman Lewis as one of 
the next recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's 
highest civilian honor. The award citation noted his courage on 
``Bloody Sunday'' in Selma, Alabama, and his contributions to the 
passage of the landmark Voting Rights Act; it observed that ``John 
Lewis is an American hero and a giant of the Civil Rights Movement.'' 
The medal will be presented early next year.
  On the same day, Congressman Lewis was also honored by the Lyndon 
Baines Johnson Foundation as the inaugural recipient of the LBJ Liberty 
and Justice for All Award. The award marks Congressman Lewis's lifelong 
commitment to the founding principles that were the watchword of the 
Civil Rights Movement. It also recognizes the determined legislative 
leadership that enabled President Johnson to turn the movement's moral 
vision into political action. The LBJ Foundation honored Congressman 
Lewis for ``his dedication to the highest ethical standards and moral 
principles [which] has won him the admiration of many of his colleagues 
on both sides of the aisle in the United States Congress.''
  I am among those colleagues who have taken regular inspiration from 
the force of John Lewis's example. He has my sincere congratulations on 
these recent honors.

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